Social care staff of all ages who have a direct hands-on care role are eligible to receive a Covid-19 and flu vaccine this year. Appointment booking is open for frontline staff.

Workers in the following settings are eligible for both vaccines:

  • care homes/residential care settings for adults/older adults.
  • community care for persons at home (including housing support, care at home services and personal assistants).
  • residential care for children who are clinically vulnerable.

The winter vaccine programme is targeted at those delivering direct care, whether employed by local authorities, private or third sector employers.

Scottish Care, the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland, the Care Inspectorate and the Scottish Social Services Council support this approach.

Covid-19 and flu

Covid-19 and flu are very infectious respiratory viruses and can be serious.

  • The vaccines give you the best available protection against the flu and Covid-19 viruses likely to be circulating this season.
  • Being vaccinated can reduce your risk of needing hospital treatment or getting seriously ill if you get Covid-19 and flu.
  • NHS Scotland recommends coming forward every time you’re invited for your vaccines to keep your protection topped up.

This year’s winter vaccine programme will deliver the Covid-19 and flu vaccines at the same time. All vaccines are tested for safety and effectiveness before use and their safety continues to be checked while in use.

Getting your winter vaccines

Vaccine appointment booking for frontline social care staff is open now. Appointments are available from 4 September. 

You can book your vaccine appointment on the NHS Inform website www.nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines where you can also read more information on the vaccines. 

If you cannot access the online portal, you can call the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, 9am to 1pm on Saturdays and closed on Sundays. 

It’s important to keep up to date with the vaccines you’re offered, and we encourage all eligible staff to take up this opportunity to help protect themselves against Covid-19 and flu this winter.