This page relates to the 2020 flu immunisation programme. Information about the 2021 programme can be found at Public Health Scotland.

Find out more about the 2021 flu immunisation programme on Public Health Scotland (external website)

For further information please see the current adult flu CMO (2021/22) letter (external website). 

Flu programme 2020

From 2020 onwards, both healthcare workers and social care workers who provide direct care will be offered the flu vaccine. It is important that front line staff across both health and social care settings do not inadvertently transmit infection. Social care staff who provide direct personal care are therefore included for the flu vaccination for the coming and future seasons.

High rates of staff vaccination will help:

• protect individual staff members
• limit sickness absence
• lower the risk of spreading the flu to those they care for

Healthcare workers

As in previous years, the flu vaccination is offered by NHS organisations across Scotland to all employees directly involved in delivering care. Healthcare staff should speak with their line manager to find out about receiving the vaccination.

We have produced resources to promote the flu programme. These include:

• campaign briefing
• leaflet
• poster
• social media posts

You can find these on our Flu vaccine resources for healthcare workers download page.

Social care workers

Social care staff who provide direct personal care are eligible to receive the flu vaccination. This is irrespective of:

• where they work, for example in residential care settings or people’s own homes
• whether they care for adults or children
• who they are employed by, such as Local Authorities, private sector or third sector employers

Social care staff should speak with their line manager to find out about receiving the vaccination.

We have produced resources to promote the flu programme. These include:

• campaign briefing
• leaflet
• poster
• social media posts
• video encouraging social care workers to receive the vaccine

You can find these on our Flu vaccine resources for social care workers download page.

Further information

The Scottish Government Chief Medical Officer letter (external website) provides information on key elements of the Scottish Adult Seasonal Flu Immunisation Programme 2020/21.

There is more information for the public on the NHS inform flu vaccine pages for health and social care workers (external website).