26 April 2024

This week (24 – 30 April) is World Immunisation Week. This is an opportunity to highlight that with collective action, it’s possible to protect people from vaccine-preventable diseases.

We are currently offering free shingles and spring Covid-19 vaccinations to people across the region who meet the eligibility criteria.

Clinics will take place at community locations across the Borders, with alternative arrangements being made for patients who are housebound or who live in residential, care or nursing homes.

The following groups of people are eligible to receive a free shingles vaccination:

  • People who were aged 65 or 70 on 1September 2023
  • People aged 50 or over who are about to start immunosuppressive therapy
  • People aged 50 or over with a severely weakened immune system
  • People aged 71 - 79 who have not previously been vaccinated against shingles
  • People aged 18 or over who have received a stem cell transplant
  • People aged 18 or over who have had CAR-T therapy 

NHS Scotland recommends you have the spring Covid-19 vaccine if you:

  • are aged 75 years and over (born on or before 30 June 1949)
  • live in a care home for older adults
  • are aged 6 months and over (on or before 31 March 2024) and have a weakened immune system.

If you are eligible for the shingles or spring Covid-19 vaccine you should have received a letter asking you to contact NHS Borders vaccination team to arrange an appointment.

Dr Sohail Bhatti, Director of Public Health at NHS Borders, said: “It is easy, even having lived through a pandemic, to forget for a moment how useful vaccinations are. Having your vaccinations when offered is highly beneficial, as it can stop you from getting preventable diseases, or reduce the severity of your symptoms if you do get them. This applies to everything from shingles to measles and meningitis.

“Not only do they keep you safe, they also help keep the rest of our communities safe by stopping the spread - like a firebreak – and therefore contribute to a healthier and happier Borders.”

For more information on about our vaccination programmes please visit: nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/vaccinations

To find out more about World Immunisation Week please visit: www.who.int