Clinics will change because of staffing/weather/site changes etc. Patients should check a few days before that the clinic they intended to attend is still running. We hope to minimise this, but for the next couple of weeks this is really important.
Your questions answered
Who should get a flu vaccine
Am I eligible for a free flu vaccine?
These groups are eligible for the flu vaccine this year:
- all primary school children
- children aged 2 to 5 (children aged 2 on 1 September 2020 and not yet in school)
- anyone aged 55 and over (from December)
- anyone aged 18-64 in clinical risk groups
- those living with people who were shielding during lockdown
- pregnant women
- healthcare workers
- unpaid and young carers
- social care workers who provide direct personal careYou can pay for a flu vaccination at many community pharmacies.With COVID-19 around it’s more important than ever to get the flu vaccine.
- Flu is serious. Getting the vaccine will protect you, others and the NHS.
- Why should I get a flu vaccine?
- Where can I get a flu vaccine if I’m not eligible for a free one?
Getting your flu vaccine
The ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and the need to keep physical distancing means it is not possible for GP practices to give flu vaccines to everyone that should get one.
In Edinburgh, we will set up hubs around the city to give flu vaccines to all eligible people over the coming months. Doing this will allow us to vaccinate as many people as possible, while making sure we can maintain physical distancing and hygiene standards.
If you attend a GP appointment in person during the Flu vaccine season, you may be given a flu vaccine while you are in the practice, but you will not be able to make an appointment just to receive a flu vaccine.
What do I do if I’m over 65, aged 18-64 and in a clinical risk group, pregnant, a carer or living with someone who was shielding during lockdown?
You should attend a drive through clinic to receive your flu vaccine. Read on to find all the information you need to know.
If you cannot attend the drive through clinic, you have the option of receiving your flu vaccine at a local pharmacy. Go to nhsinform.scot/flu to find a pharmacy where you can get a free flu vaccine.
What do I do if I’m 55-64?
If you are aged 55-64, and are not in any of the above categories, you will get a vaccine in a later phase of the programme. We will update this information as soon as all the details are confirmed.
What do I do if I have a child at primary school?
Most primary school age children will receive the flu vaccine at school. For more information visit NHS Inform
What do I do if I have a child who is 2, 3, 4, or 5?
Children aged 2-5 will get their flu vaccines at special hubs around the city. We will update this information as soon as the details are confirmed.
What if I have any questions?
You can find more information about the flu vaccine process in Scotland at nhsinform.scot/flu. You can also call 0800 22 44 88.
Drive through site information
Scottish Government
Address | Scottish Government, Victoria Quay, Leith Edinburgh EH6 6QQ |
Associated practices | Dr Steve Allan & Partners, Bangholm Medical Centre, Bangholm Loan, Edinburgh, EH5 3AH |
The Hopetoun Practice, Bellevue Medical Centre, 26 Huntingdon Place, Edinburgh, EH7 4AT |
Annandale Medical Practice, Bellevue Medical Centre, 26 Huntingdon Place, Edinburgh, EH7 4AT |
Leith Surgery, 2 Duke Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8HQ |
Links Medical Centre, 4 Hermitage Place, Edinburgh, EH6 8BW |
Who should use this site? | • anyone aged 65 and over • anyone aged 18-64 in clinical risk groups • those living with people shielding • pregnant women • unpaid and young carers. |
Dates of drive through clinics | Saturday 26 September Sunday 27 September Saturday 3 October Sunday 4 October Saturday 10 October Sunday 11 October Saturday 17 October Sunday 18 October |
When should I attend? | You can attend on any of these dates. To help with queuing and traffic flow, we have allocated timeslots by surname. Please come at the time next to the first letter of your surname. If there is more than one person in the car, come at the time allocated by the surname of the driver. Time | First letter of surname | 9 - 10am | A – B | 10 - 11am | C - D | 11am - 12noon | E - H | 12noon - 1pm | I – L | 1 - 2.30pm | M – N | 2.30 - 3.30pm | 0 – R | 3.30 - 4.30pm | S – U | 4.30 - 5.30pm | V - Z |
|
What should I do when I arrive? | · arrive on time - please don’t come early · please come at the time set aside for the first initial of your surname. If more than one person in the car is getting a flu vaccine, come at the time for the driver’s surname · wear short sleeves if possible · have your sleeve rolled up by the time you get to the front of the queue · all eligible people from your household should come in the same car if possible · follow the signs · before you receive your flu vaccine, you will be asked some questions to check it’s safe for you to get the vaccine · please let us know if you’ve had a reaction to a vaccination in the past · turn off your engine if you think you might be sitting in the car for a while · you may have to wait in a queue, please be patient · after you have received your flu vaccine, please park in the spaces set aside and wait for 15 minutes before driving off. This is to make sure you don’t have an early reaction and that you’re safe to drive off afterwards |
What else do I need to know? | · you do not need to come to the first date available to you – there will be enough vaccines on any date you attend. To help with traffic flow, please think about coming on a later date in the programme if you can · if you feel unwell or have a temperature, do not come to the drive through site. Wait until you are well and attend at a later date · there are no toilet facilities available · the team giving the vaccinations are trained professionals who will be wearing protective clothing and equipment to protect both you and them · the systems we’ve put in place will get people vaccinated as safely and quickly as possible · if you feel unwell after receiving your flu vaccine, please let one of the team know as soon as possible |