The winter vaccination programme is due to start in Scotland this month.

It aims to provide protection to those most at risk of hospitalisation and severe illness from both flu or COVID-19.

The optimum timing of this delivery is proposed each year by the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), an independent expert advisory body that advises health departments on immunisation and effective vaccine delivery.

In Scotland, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) within Scottish Government reviews JCVI advice and, with ministerial approval, instructs the 14 NHS health boards on the requirements for delivery of this, and all, vaccine programme.

Read the CMO letters that detail eligibility for the 2024-25 winter programme:

• Seasonal influenza (flu) immunisation programme 2024-25
• Seasonal coronavirus (COVID-19) immunisation programme 2024-25

As always, the aim is for vaccination to be completed before peak winter flu and COVID-19 season.

With almost 1.6 million adult flu and over 530,000 child flu vaccinations, and over 1.2 million COVID-19 vaccines delivered to eligible people in Scotland last year, the programme must start this month to ensure people receive their vaccinations in good time.