Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines you're eligible for

NHS Scotland is making plans to offer the coronavirus (COVID-19) booster to eligible groups this spring, in line with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice. 

Read about the spring booster

Use our self-help guide to find out how many doses you or your child are eligible for, and when and how you’ll be offered them.

Self-help guide

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Go to the online booking portal

NHS Scotland will never ask you to pay for the coronavirus vaccine if you are eligible. Do not share your bank details with anyone offering you the vaccine for a fee.

If you've never received a coronavirus vaccine or a blue invitation letter

If you've never received a coronavirus vaccine or a blue invitation letter, and you're 12 or over, you can register online for an appointment. This allows NHS Scotland to send you alerts and information digitally rather than through the post. You need to be registered with a GP practice to use this service. If you aren't, you can phone the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013.

Use the coronavirus vaccine registration service

If you're under 12, phone the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013.

How do I know if I’m at risk?

Some people who have additional risk factors are eligible for additional doses.

Severely weakened immune system

Severely weakened immune system includes those who had or have:

  • blood cancers (such as leukaemia or lymphoma)
  • lowered immunity due to treatment (such as steroid medication, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
  • lowered immunity due to inherited disorders of the immune system
  • an organ or bone marrow transplant
  • diseases that affect the immune system such as poorly controlled HIV
Weakened immune system

Health conditions or treatments that may mean people have a weakened immune system include:

Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment

  • those undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy
  • solid organ transplant recipients
  • bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients
  • adults aged 16 years or over with HIV infection (at all stages)

Genetic disorders affecting the immune system

For example:

  • deficiencies of IRAK-4 or NEMO
  • complement disorder
  • SCID

Immunosuppressive or immunomodulating biological therapy

Including, but not limited to:

  • anti-TNF
  • alemtuzumab
  • ofatumumab
  • rituximab
  • patients receiving protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
  • individuals treated with steroid sparing agents such as cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil

Steroid medication

  • adults aged 16 or over treated with or likely to be treated with systemic steroids for more than a month at a dose equivalent to prednisolone at 20mg or more per day
  • children and young people aged 5 to 15 years treated with or likely to be treated with high or moderate dose corticosteroids

Blood cancers

  • those with haematological malignancy, including leukaemia and lymphoma
  • adults aged 16 or over with myeloma

Auto-immune diseases

Those who require long term immunosuppressive treatment for conditions including, but not limited to:

  • systemic lupus erythematosus
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • scleroderma
  • psoriasis

Non-biological oral immune modulating drugs for children and young people aged 5 to 15 years

  • methotrexate
  • azathioprine
  • 6-mercaptopurine
  • mycophenolate

If you feel your condition or medication does not appear on the list, please talk to the clinician that manages your condition. They may be able to refer you to your NHS Board for vaccination if appropriate.

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Source: Scottish Government - Opens in new browser window

Last updated:
17 March 2023

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