For routine vaccinations people will be contacted directly by NHS Dumfries and Galloway when they become eligible. There is no need to contact your GP practice.

People will be offered a variety of opportunities to be vaccinated within community vaccination centres across Dumfries and Galloway.

Those who are housebound will continue to get their vaccination at home and care home residents will get their vaccination in their care home setting.

People who have been previously invited for vaccination by their GP and have not yet taken up the offer will be given a further opportunity to come forward by invitation over the coming year.

There’s now a vaccine which helps protect against Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system. While most RSV infections are usually mild, it can cause severe illness in babies under one year of age and some older adults. For those at greatest risk, RSV can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis, leading to complications and hospitalisation. Getting the RSV vaccine is the best way to protect yourself.

NHS Scotland recommends you have the RSV vaccine if you are: 75 years old on and between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025

• aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 August 2024 (born between 2 August 1944 and 31 July 1950) pregnant.
• Older adults who are eligible will be sent an appointment letter. 
• Pregnant women are encouraged to speak to their midwife about getting the vaccine from 28 weeks of their pregnancy.

For more information please visit www.nhsinform.scot/rsv-adult or www.nhsinform.scot/rsv-baby

Pneumococcal Vaccine

The pneumococcal vaccine provides some protection against one of the most common causes of meningitis and against other conditions such as severe ear infections and pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria.

People aged 65 or over are offered a single dose of the vaccine.

It may also be available if you’re under 65 (including children) and fall under one of the risk groups, or have a serious medical conditions.

• Pneumococcal vaccine – Immunisations in Scotland | NHS Inform

Shingles Vaccine

The shingles vaccine helps reduce your risk of developing shingles. If you do get shingles, it can reduce how serious the symptoms will be. 

You’re eligible for the free shingles vaccine if, on 1 September 2023, you were aged: 

• 65 
• 70 

If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, you can use the age eligibility calculator to check. 

You’re also eligible to get the vaccine if you: 

• are aged 71-79 (and have not previously had the vaccine) 
• have a severely weakened immune system and are aged 50 or over 
• are about to start immunosuppressive therapy and are aged 50 or over 
• have received a stem cell transplant and are aged 18 or over 
• are having or have had CAR-T therapy and are aged 18 or over 

People aged 66 – 69 on or after 1st September 2023 will become eligible for vaccination on their 70th birthday. Visit  Shingles vaccine – NHS inform for more information.

The local vaccination team will invite those eligible for their appointments from January 2024. 

Flu Vaccine

Information about the vaccine is available on the Covid-19 & Flu Vaccination page when the programme is active.