15 October 2025

With the winter vaccination programme now under way, NHS Borders is encouraging everyone who is eligible to take up the offer of a flu and/or COVID-19 vaccination to protect themselves and those around them.

The programme is designed to protect those most at risk of serious illness, prevent hospital admissions from respiratory infections and help reduce pressure on health and social care services during the winter months.

This year the flu vaccine is being offered to:

  • All children aged 2–5 years (not yet at school), all primary and secondary school pupils, and children from 6 months with certain health conditions
  • Adults aged 65 and over
  • Adults aged 18–64 in clinical risk groups, including pregnant women, unpaid carers, people experiencing homelessness or substance misuse, and household contacts of people with weakened immune systems
  • Residents in long-stay care, frontline health and social care workers, NHS staff, and poultry workers

The COVID-19 vaccine is being offered to:

  • Residents in care homes for older adults
  • Everyone aged 75 and over
  • People aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system

Appointments for pre-school children, pregnant women, health and social care staff and school pupils began last month. From late September, people aged 75 and over started to be invited for both flu and COVID-19 vaccines, with care home visits now also under way. Wider community appointments for eligible adults will follow from November.

Dr Sohail Bhatti, Director of Public Health at NHS Borders, said: “Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from flu and COVID-19 this winter. For some people, flu can hit much harder - so if you’re offered the vaccine, you’ve got a good reason to get it. Please take up the offer when invited - it could make a real difference to you and those around you this winter and will help to reduce pressure on our healthcare settings.”

We would also like to remind people that the spread of flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory infections can be reduced by regular handwashing and staying at home if you have symptoms.

Vaccination appointments are being issued in stages, depending on eligibility. If you have not yet been contacted, please be assured your details will follow. You can also check eligibility and book appointments at www.nhsinform.scot/flu, and find further details about the child flu programme at www.nhsinform.scot/childflu.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme will run until 31 January 2026, and the flu vaccination programme until 29 March 2026.