Eligible groups

NHS Scotland follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Vaccination is offered to those most at risk based on age and clinical condition.

Find out more about JCVI advice (external website).

Who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine 

 

In line with the JCVI advice, to maximise protection in those most vulnerable to serious illness, COVID-19 vaccines will only be offered to certain priority groups from 25 August 2023.

For more information about winter vaccinations in 2023, view the eligibility information and infographic.

Those at higher risk

The JCVI recommends that people have the COVID-19 vaccine this year if they are:

  • residents and staff in care homes for older adults
  • aged 65 and over
  • aged 6 months and over with a condition that places them at higher risk
  • pregnant
  • carers aged 16 and over
  • aged 12 and over who are household contacts of people with a weakened immune system
  • frontline health and social care workers

Find out more about winter vaccines.

Children 6 months to 4 years at higher risk

NHS Scotland is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 6 months to 4 years at higher risk of COVID-19, in line with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice (external website).

Infants and young children with underlying health conditions are seven times more likely to be admitted to paediatric intensive care units with severe COVID-19 compared to those without underlying health conditions. Getting the vaccine will help to protect against COVID-19. If the child is vaccinated, they are much less likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19 or need to go to hospital. 

Parents and carers of children aged between 6 months to 4 years who are in a clinical risk group will be contacted by NHS Scotland with details of an appointment in due course.

Visit NHS inform for more information (external website).

Treatment entitlement

COVID-19 vaccinations offered by NHS Scotland and free of charge for people who are eligible in Scotland.

No immigration checks are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccination and NHS Scotland does not pass patient details to the Home Office for the purpose of immigration enforcement.

People without a GP or CHI number

People do not need to be registered with a GP, or have an existing Community Health Index (CHI) number, in order to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. CHI numbers are being used to invite some people for their COVID-19 vaccination. CHI numbers identify an individual’s patient health records across health services in Scotland.

If people are not registered with a GP in Scotland or do not have a CHI number, they can register for a vaccine by contacting the national COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013. They will then be invited for a vaccination appointment by their local health board at a later date. Please note this process will not automatically register people with a GP practice – more information on how to register with a GP practice (external website) is available on NHS inform.

Last updated: 11 September 2023