NHS Forth Valley – Older Adults

Older Adults Vaccinations

For routine vaccinations people will be contacted directly by NHS Forth Valley when they become eligible. There is no need to contact your GP practice.

People will be offered a variety of opportunities to be vaccinated within community vaccination centres across Forth Valley.

Those who are housebound will continue to get their vaccination at home and care home residents will get their vaccination in their care home setting.

People who have been previously invited for vaccination by their GP and have not yet taken up the offer will be given a further opportunity to come forward by invitation over the coming year.

Pneumococcal Vaccine

The pneumococcal vaccine provides some protection against one of the most common causes of meningitis and against other conditions such as severe ear infections and pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria.

People aged 65 or over are offered a single dose of the vaccine.

It may also be available if you’re under 65 (including children) and fall under one of the risk groups, or have a serious medical conditions.

Pneumococcal vaccine – Immunisations in Scotland | NHS Inform

Shingles Vaccine

The shingles vaccine helps reduce your risk of developing shingles. If you do get shingles, it can reduce how serious the symptoms will be.

You’re eligible for the free shingles vaccine if, on 1 September 2023, you were aged:

If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, you can use the age eligibility calculator to check.

You’re also eligible to get the vaccine if you:

are aged 71-79 (and have not previously had the vaccine)
have a severely weakened immune system and are aged 50 or over
are about to start immunosuppressive therapy and are aged 50 or over
have received a stem cell transplant and are aged 18 or over
are having or have had CAR-T therapy and are aged 18 or over

People aged 66 – 69 on or after 1st September 2023 will become eligible for vaccination on their 70th birthday. Visit Shingles vaccine – NHS inform for more information.

The local vaccination team will invite those eligible for their appointments from January 2024.