As the winter vaccination programme for flu and Covid begins, COSLA’s Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, Councillor Paul Kelly, emphasises the importance of getting vaccinated for people at greatest risk:

“It is important to check if you are eligible for the free flu, Covid vaccine or both, whether that is due to your age, a health condition, pregnancy, or a caring role. Vaccination remains the best protection against the serious effects of flu and Covid, reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death.

Workforce vaccination helps to protect our health and social care workers and ensure they can continue to provide essential care and support throughout the winter months.

I know there are challenges to ensure the social care workforce can access vaccinations easily. We are working closely with social care representatives to break down these barriers and make the process as smooth as possible.”

Further information:

• Flu and coronavirus vaccines are being offered from September 2026 as part of the annual winter vaccination programme.
• The eligibility criteria are different for the flu and Covid vaccines, based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
• People who are eligible will receive a text, email or letter with information to book their vaccine appointment.
• Social care staff can book an appointment online via the booking portal, phoning the National Contact Centre on 0800 030 8013, 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturday, or visit a drop-in clinic without an appointment. Staff should state that they are receiving the vaccine as a social care worker.
• NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have collaborated with the social care workforce to develop a short film. This shares first-hand experiences from social care staff on their decision to receive the flu vaccine.
• Resources to support informed consent, including vaccination ingredients and possible side effects can be found on NHS Inform, available in different languages and formats. There are dedicated resources for the flu vaccines offered to children, including a briefing for school staff.
• Public Health Scotland and NHS Inform are part of the Vaccine Safety Net, a global network of websites, established by the World Health Organization, that provides reliable information on vaccine safety.