Frequently Asked Questions

If you are unable to attend a vaccination appointment, please cancel or reschedule. This will allow us to offer the appointment to someone else.

You can change your appointment time, date or venue via the online booking portal. Instructions on how to use the portal can be found on NHS Inform.

To arrange or reschedule an appointment for a child under 12, or if you’re experiencing technical difficulties, please call the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.

If you are booking, rescheduling or cancelling an appointment on behalf of someone else please phone the helpline.

COVID-19 vaccines are offered on a seasonal basis through the spring and winter programmes. Please visit NHS Inform for information on eligibility.

Pregnant women are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination and so are able to get this throughout the year. Please speak to your midwife to find out more.

Since its beginning, NHS Scotland’s Vaccination Programme has been guided by the expert advice provided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). 

The JCVI will continue to review emerging evidence about the virus, vaccine effectiveness and waning protection and uses this to formulate advice on who should receive vaccination and when in order to maximise protection.

We will continue to deliver vaccinations in line with this advice.

If you have a fear of needles and are a bit nervous, please let the person giving you your vaccine know – they will be very understanding and can support you by helping you feel calm. The needles used are small and you should only feel a tiny pinprick.

Some of our vaccination clinics are able to offer quiet spaces. Please check the access information for each clinic to find out more.

Instructions on how to use the portal can be found on NHS Inform.

To arrange or reschedule an appointment for a child under 12, or if you’re experiencing technical difficulties, please call the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.

If you are booking, rescheduling or cancelling an appointment on behalf of someone else, please phone the helpline.

If you are sent a scheduled appointment by NHS Scotland, you will be offered an appointment in a clinic close to your registered home address.

You can change your appointment time, date or venue via the online booking portal. Instructions on how to use the portal can be found on NHS Inform.

To reschedule an appointment for a child under 12, someone else, or if you’re experiencing technical difficulties, please call the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.

A list of Lothian vaccination clinics is available on our website.

No, the National Vaccination Helpline accesses the same system used by individuals and so does not have access to additional appointments. 

If you cannot find an appointment that suits you, please check back at a later time as new appointments will be added.

We advise people to make every effort to attend a vaccination appointment when one is offered, but accept that this is not always possible.

If you have missed your vaccination appointment, you must wait 72 hours after the time of that appointment before you can book a new one.

Please notify your GP of your change of address as soon possible to ensure your letter goes to the correct address.

For a list of allergy FAQs, please visit Anaphylaxis UK. Always speak to your vaccinator if you are unsure.

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. It’s normal to experience side effects after the vaccine. It shows the vaccine is teaching your body’s immune system how to protect itself from the disease. Not everyone gets side effects. Most side effects are mild and normally last only a day or two. Read more on NHS Inform.

Yes, but we would strongly recommend you get the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters when you are offered them.

To opt out, please call the NHS Scotland COVID-19 National Contact Centre on 0800 030 8013.

If you change your mind after opting out and you want to get the vaccine, please get back in touch.

All clinics can provide telephone interpretation services. Please let the vaccinator or a member of the team know which language you require. You do not need to arrange this before your visit.

If you or someone you care for requires a BSL interpreter, this can be arranged with the Lothian Vaccination Enquiries Helpline via:

✉️ loth.vaccenquiries@nhs.scot

☎️ 0300 790 6296 | The helpline is available 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday | You may be charged for this call

Please note this needs to be arranged prior to your/their visit.

Yes. If you or someone you care for requires a sighted guide, this can be arranged with the Lothian Vaccination Enquiries Helpline via:

✉️ loth.vaccenquiries@nhs.scot

☎️ 0300 790 6296 | The helpline is available 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday | You may be charged for this call

Please note this needs to be arranged prior to your/their visit.

Yes, we are happy to accommodate your visit with anyone who makes you more comfortable, although we would advise limiting this to one other person where possible.

We do, however, accommodate for families with children.

The NHS Lothian Vaccination Enquiries Helpline is for all adult vaccines (including COVID-19, flu, shingles and pneumococcal) and can be contacted via:

✉️ loth.vaccenquiries@nhs.scot

☎️ 0300 790 6296 | The helpline is available 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday | You may be charged for this call

You may be asked to provide your name, date of birth, address and CHI number (if available). 

Relay UK is available when contacting the Vaccination Enquiries Helpline for people with hearing or speech difficulties.

NHS Lothian has no formal agreement with Relay UK, so please ensure you read this privacy statement before using the service.