11 November 2021

Our vaccination teams have offered Covid-19 booster and flu vaccinations to the majority of care home residents and staff in the Borders.

People on the highest risk list who were severely immunosuppressed at the time of their last Covid-19 vaccination are being offered a third primary dose instead of a booster. All individuals in this group have been offered an appointment.

Vaccinations for those who are housebound are underway. Our teams will contact people prior to coming out to see them in their homes.

Those aged 70 years and over and adults aged 16 years and over who are on the highest risk list (previously known as the shielding list) have now received their appointment details by post (blue envelope) for their Covid-19 and flu vaccination. If you are in these groups and have not received your letter please call the national Covid-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.

Those aged 60-69 and also those aged 16 to 59 years with underlying health conditions (aged 16 to 59 years) will receive their appointment letters (blue envelope) this week. Clinics are scheduled to start from Sunday 14 November onwards.

The next phase of the vaccination programme will commence from Monday 15 November when a self-booking portal will be launched for appointments throughout December. The self-booking portal will allow all adults over 50, carers as well as people aged 16 to 49 years with specific risk factors that make them eligible under the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)’s clinical advice to come forward and arrange an appointment. You can check eligibility details at NHS Inform.

The way that all vaccinations are delivered in the Borders has changed as part of our Primary Care Improvement Plan. Vaccinations will now be administered by NHS Borders in community clinics instead of by individual GP practices. Some vaccinations may still be administered in a practice building by NHS Borders staff. 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. Please do not contact your GP practice to book your appointment as they will not be able to book it for you.

Anyone eligible who has tested positive for Covid-19 must wait 28 days after a positive test to get the Covid-19 booster.

The booster programme is running alongside our biggest ever flu vaccination programme. Both programmes are important for individual and public health. Wherever possible those eligible will be offered their Covid-19 and flu vaccines together.

The JCVI have advised that at least 24 weeks should have passed since receiving the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, before a booster is administered.


A recent amendment to the Green Book, which is the vaccination and immunisation guide for health staff, supports extra flexibility for people to receive Boosters after a five month (22 week) wait from primary dose completion. This is only possible in these circumstances:

  • in a care home setting to enable all residents to be vaccinated in the same session
  • where an otherwise eligible individual attends for another reason (for example to receive their flu vaccine)

A further amendment to the Green Book allows for people who are about to receive immunosuppressive treatment to receive their Booster after a period of four months (120 days). This is to avoid giving the Booster when the immune system is less able to respond.

Individuals who are not eligible for a Covid-19 booster until later this year and onwards (those who don’t have their vaccination appointment yet) can opt to get their free flu vaccination at one of our participating community pharmacies now. Details of participating pharmacies can be found here: /media/832489/Pharmacies-Participating-in-2021.pdf

Vaccinations will be administered subject to availability on a first come first served basis. If the pharmacy team identify that you have an upcoming vaccination appointment they will discuss this with you and administer a flu vaccine based on clinical risk.

Participating pharmacies are subject to change, please check our website for up to date information.