NHS Tayside Vaccination Programme

This includes a number of vaccinations for adults and children. More information on the vaccines and when they are offered can be found at www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation

Following the Ministerial announcement on Friday 12 June 2026 regarding a Meningitis B targeted vaccination programme, all young people who are eligible for their free Meningococcal B (Men B) vaccine should phone to arrange their vaccination appointment.

The national vaccination programme comes in response to recent cases of meningitis in the UK and is aimed at helping protect those most at risk of meningococcal disease, particularly young people preparing to enter higher or further education and live in shared accommodation.

Meningococcal B infection can develop very quickly and, in some cases, can be life-threatening, which is why vaccination is so important.

Those eligible for the vaccine include:

• Undergraduate university entrants under the age of 25 starting for the first time in the 2026–27 academic year, including international students. This includes all those turning 25 between 6th July and 31st December 2026 are eligible.
• Young people born between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009, and those who were in S6 during the 2025–26 academic year.
• College entrants under 25 starting for the first time in 2026–27 who will be living away from home in shared student accommodation.

Appointments will begin from 6 July 2026, with the vaccine delivered in two doses given 28 days apart.

Young people who are due to start university in September are advised to complete the full course of vaccination at least two weeks before the start of term to ensure maximum protection.

To help manage demand, a phased approach to booking has been introduced:

• Those starting university in September can call to book from 22 June.
• Those eligible based on age can call from 29 June.

Appointments can be booked by calling the local vaccination booking line on 01382 423108.

For more information visit NHS Inform.

Visit our COVID-19 vaccination page for information on the 2026 spring vaccination programme.

People who are eligible for their free shingles vaccine will be invited to attend their local vaccination centre.  The shingles vaccine will help reduce the risk of getting shingles and, if you do develop shingles, will reduce the severity of symptoms.

People aged 65 and over and those with certain health conditions will be invited to attend their local vaccination centre for their free pneumococcal vaccination.  The pneumococcal vaccine will help reduce the risk of getting pneumonia and, if you do develop pneumonia, will reduce the severity of symptoms.

More information on the shingles and pneumococcal vaccines can be found on NHS Inform at the following links.

Shingles vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccine

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and airways. It can cause severe illness and death, particularly in young unimmunised children, with babies under one year old most at risk. The good news is there’s a whooping cough vaccine that is around 90% effective in preventing hospital admissions and deaths in young babies.

The vaccine is offered to:
• pregnant women (one dose between 16-32 weeks)
• newborn babies (three doses at around 8, 12 and 16 weeks) as part of the ‘6-in-1’ vaccine
• infants (one dose aged 3 years and 4 months) as part of the ‘4-in-1’ vaccine

It’s extremely important that pregnant women get the vaccine. This will help to protect the baby in the first few vulnerable weeks of life until they’re old enough to have their first routine immunisations at around 8 weeks.

For more information about the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy, speak to your midwife or visit www.nhsinform.scot/whoopingcough  

For more information about the 6-in-1 vaccine offered to newborn babies speak to your health visitor or visit www.nhsinform.scot/6in1

Visit our travel vaccination page for information on vaccinations you may need when going abroad.

NHS Tayside has a child immunisation team which delivers all childhood vaccinations except for COVID vaccines. For all flu appointments please contact 01307 475240. For all other enquiries, please contact the number on your child's appointment letter or 01307 475263.

Childhood vaccines are grouped by age and many are given in conjunction with other vaccines. More information on the schedule of childhood vaccines is available here.

For information on accessing our vaccination centres or assistance during your appointment please visit our Access and Assistance page.

If you are Power of Attorney or guardian of someone who has a vaccination appointment you can find advice here.

For any queries about COVID or flu vaccines which are not answered by the information above please call the national helpline on 0800 030 8013.  For queries about any other vaccines please contact tay.cvs@nhs.scot or call 01382 423108.