The 2026 winter vaccination programme is now underway, offering protection to those most at risk from flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) as we head into the colder months.
By helping to prevent serious illness, hospitalisation and death, the programme plays an important role in keeping individuals, families and communities well, while also reducing pressure on NHS and social care services during winter.
The flu vaccination programme starts on 22 September, with coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine available from mid-October, and we aim to complete the winter programme before Christmas.
You are eligible and recommended to have the flu vaccine this year if you are:
- living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities
- aged 65 and over
- aged 18 to 64 with an eligible health condition
- experiencing homelessness or problems with substance use
- an asylum seeker living in a Home Office hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation
- living in a Scottish prison
- pregnant
- a frontline health and social care worker
- a non-frontline NHS worker
- an unpaid or young carer
- a household contact of someone with a weakened immune system
- a poultry worker or bird handler
- a cattle or swine worker
Some people who are eligible for flu are also eligible for coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine because they are at high risk of serious illness due to the virus. As per Scottish Government policy, you will be invited for both coronavirus and flu vaccination if you:
- are aged 75 years or over (born on or before 31 March 1952)
- live in a care home for older adults
- are aged 6 months or over (born on or before 1 March 2026) and have a weakened immune system
The delivery of the programme is very complex as nearly half the Shetland population will be offered vaccines during the next three months, in a number of different settings.
Adults who are only eligible for flu vaccine should aim to get their vaccine between 22 September and mid-October. Those who need flu and Covid vaccines will get these after mid-October.
Invites and clinic settings for those people only having flu vaccine will be as follows:
- Adults registered with Lerwick, Levenwick, Scalloway, Brae, Bixter and Walls practices, aged 65-74 or under 65 with eligible medical conditions, will have been sent a text, email or letter inviting them to book an appointment at the Grantfield Vaccination Centre for their flu vaccine.
- If you are registered with Hillswick, Unst, Whalsay or Yell practices, you will be contacted directly by your GP practice about your vaccinations. However, you can attend the Grantfield Vaccination Centre if you prefer.
- School pupils should have already received their consent packs for their flu vaccinations delivered in school.
- All pre-school children under five will be invited to get their flu vaccine at nursery or GP practice.
- Health and social care staff will receive information through their workplace regarding flu vaccination clinics.
- Pregnant women will be offered the flu vaccine by their midwife.
- People who cannot leave their home, will receive their vaccine at home from the NHS Shetland Vaccination Team, Community Nursing Team or Scottish Ambulance Service.
- All other people eligible for flu vaccine should look out for further information, as you may not receive a personal invite. You can book a flu appointment using the national portal, or contact the Shetland Vaccination Team (or Hillswick, Unst, Whalsay or Yell practice if you are registered with one of them).
Invites and clinic settings for those having flu and Covid vaccines will be as follows:
- People living in care homes will receive their flu and Covid vaccines in the care home.
- People who cannot leave their home, will receive their vaccines at home from the NHS Shetland Vaccination Team, Community Nursing Team or Scottish Ambulance Service.
- Other people aged 75 and over or with a weakened immune system will be sent an appointment or an invite letter (or contacted directly by their GP practice if registered with Hillswick, Unst, Whalsay or Yell practice).
Dr Susan Laidlaw, NHS Shetland's Director of Public Health and Immunisation Coordinator, said: "As we move into the winter months, I would encourage everyone who is eligible to take up their offer of vaccination when invited. Flu and COVID-19 continue to cause serious illness, particularly for older people, those with underlying health conditions and people with weakened immune systems.
"Getting vaccinated is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself, your loved ones and those who may be more vulnerable within our communities. It can help reduce the risk of severe illness, hospital admission and disruption to everyday life over the winter period.
"This year's programme will see thousands of vaccinations delivered across Shetland in a range of settings. We appreciate the support and patience of the public as our teams work hard to deliver the programme, and we encourage everyone eligible to book or attend their appointment as soon as possible. Every vaccination helps us keep individuals and communities well, while supporting our NHS and social care services through what is traditionally a very busy time of year."
You can book appointments at the Grantfield Vaccination Centre through the national portal: Winter vaccines | NHS inform. This webpage includes a video to show you how to use the portal if you have not done so before. You can also contact the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013. The NHS Shetland Vaccination Team can be contact by telephone on 01595 743319 or by email on shet.vaccination-team@nhs.scot.
If you have questions about the programme or your appointment, please call the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013 or call or email the NHS Shetland Vaccination Team, as above, and leave a message. Please be aware that at busy times there may be a delay in calling you back, but the team will aim to contact you the next working day.
Please note that improvement works at the Grantfield Vaccination Centre and Walk-In Clinic are still being completed. We are planning for the centre to reopen and vaccination clinics to resume from Tuesday 22 September as scheduled.
While we do not anticipate any issues, should there be any unforeseen delays to the building work, the NHS Shetland Vaccination Team will contact affected patients directly as soon as possible. Any updates will also be shared on the NHS Shetland website and social media channels. We would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while these improvements are carried out.
Further information:
- Dr Susan Laidlaw, NHS Shetland’s Director of Public Health and Immunisation Coordinator, has shared a video outlining the importance of the flu vaccines campaign. The video can be viewed here: Winter Vaccinations Campaign 2026
- There is a lot of information on NHS inform, including the patient information leaflets, access to the booking portal for making and changing appointments, how to opt out of receiving appointments, and vaccine information in different languages and formats: Winter vaccines | NHS inform
- Local updates on the winter vaccination programme will be shared on Vaccinations – NHS Shetland as the programme progresses. Please check the NHS Shetland website regularly for further information, including availability of drop-in clinics later in the programme.