This page provides information about recommended immunisations for different age groups.
A guide to childhood immunisations up to 5 years of age
Information on all the routine immunisations given to babies and young children to protect them from serious childhood diseases.
What to expect after immunisation: Babies and Children
Important information for parents about what to expect after their child recieves an immunisation.
Babies 0-13 months
Immunisations at 2, 3 and 4 months of age
Immunisations between 12 and 13 months of age
Non-routine immunisations
The BCG vaccine is usually offered to babies who are more likely to come into contact with someone with Tuberculosis. BCG and your baby booklet contains information for parents.
The Hepatitis B vaccine is offered to all babies whose mothers or close family have been infected with hepatitis B. Further information can be found on the Department of Health immunisation website (external link).
Children (from 3 years 4 months old)
Immunisations offered from 3 years, 4 months
Teenagers (12-18 years)
Teenagers aged 13-18 years are offered immunisation to protect against tetanus, diphtheria and polio. Girls are also routinely invited to receive the HPV vaccine at 12 to 13 years of age.
A guide to teenage immunisations between 12 and 18 years of age provides an overview on the routine immunisations offered to teenagers and includes information on human papillomavirus (HPV) and on the signs and symptoms of meningitis.
What to expect after immunisation: young people
Important information for young people and their parents about what to expect immediately after they recieve an immunisation
Influenza (Flu)
Influenza (Flu) and Pneumococcal immunisations are advised for young people with heart, lung, kidney, liver or other long-term health problems.
Older Adults (65+)
Recommended vaccines for older adults include:
Influenza (Flu)
Anyone who suffers from heart or lung problems or is 65 or over should get the flu vaccine. The annual flu vaccine is made available from October each year in advance of the winter flu ´season´. A fresh vaccine is developed and provided each year to protect against the particular flu strains circulating that year.
Information on the annual flu vaccine can be found by visiting the Immunisation Scotland Flu Pages (external link).
Pneumococcal
The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 65 and over and all adults with serious heart, chest, kidney and other long-term health problems. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against most types of infection from the streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium. The bacterium causes pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). One injection will provide years of protection.
Shingles
Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) can be very painful and is more common among older people. The shingles vaccine can reduce the chance of getting shingles, or, if you do get shingles, it can reduce how severe or long lasting the symptoms can be.
The shingles vaccine will be offered to all people aged 70 on 1 September 2013. In 2013/14, all people aged 79 on 1 September 2013 will also be offered the vaccine.
The template GP invitation letter for shingles will not be uploaded to this website (as detailed in the CMO letter) as the programme felt there were risks associated with this procedure. Please contact your local Immunisation Co-ordinator for a copy of the template letter if you have not already received it.