LATEST UPDATES – April 2026
Spring’s the perfect time to top up your COVID-19 protection
The virus remains a serious risk, especially for older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
If you’re eligible, your invitation for a COVID-19 vaccine is on its way. Protection from previous vaccination reduces over time, so it’s important to get vaccinated to help maintain your protection all year round.
This spring, the COVID-19 vaccine is being offered to:
- people with a weakened immune system who are aged 6 months and over (born on or before 1 October 2025)
- adults aged 75 years and over (born on or before 30 June 1951)
- residents in care homes for older adults
Even if your health condition is well managed, you’re still at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
For more information visit nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine.
Flu Vaccine Clinics for Children aged between 2 and 5 years old
The flu vaccine is given as a nasal (nose) spray, it is quick, easy, and painless.
For those children aged between 2 and 5 years old (not in school) and registered with Stromness Surgery or on the ferry linked isles, your practices will be in touch with you directly regarding flu vaccines.
For children registered with Skerryvore, Heilendi, Dounby or Daisy Villa Practices, from Friday 3 October 2025, we will be offering drop-in flu clinics at The Balfour for all those children aged between 2 and 5 years old (not already in school).
Find out more about clinic dates and times on the link here.
Vaccines for Students
Make sure your vaccines are up to date
Infectious diseases such as meningitis and measles can spread easily in university and college communities. Vaccination offers the best protection against these diseases, which is why it’s important to check you’re up to date with your vaccines before returning after the summer break.
International students
If you’ve moved to Scotland from overseas, make sure you’ve received the vaccinations offered for free by the NHS in Scotland. You may be able to get additional vaccines that were not available where you lived before.
MenACWY
The MenACWY vaccine offers protection against some of the common causes of meningitis. Students are at higher risk of meningitis, which can be severe and life-threatening. For more information visit Meningitis and septicaemia | Meningitis Research Foundation
MMR
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Parts of the UK and other countries across the world have seen an increase in the number of people getting measles in the last year. Evidence suggests students are at higher risk than the general population and that is why it’s important to check you’ve had two doses of the MMR vaccine.
HPV
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps protect against HPV-related cancers including head, neck and cervical cancer. It also protects against over 90% of genital wart infections. Most students will have had the HPV vaccine at secondary school but if not, you may still be able to get it up until the age of 25.
Find out more visit Vaccines for students | NHS inform
Travel Vaccinations
Please access the link here to find out more about Travel Vaccinations: Visit the Travel Vaccinations Page
Childhood Immunisations
The childhood immunisation schedule has recently changed. The changes are based on the latest scientific evidence. All children will still be offered all the vaccinations needed to be protected against serious diseases. Speak to your health visitor, midwife, vaccination service, GP, community nurse, practice nurse, community pharmacy or another healthcare practitioner for more information.
The Kirkwall Vaccination Team will deliver this service, and it will primarily be delivered within The Balfour for all Heilendi and Skerryvore patients. A visiting service will be provided by the NHS Orkney Vaccination Team to both Daisy Villa Medical Practice and Dounby Surgery.
Your child will receive an appointment letter when they are eligible. You can check your child’s eligibility by following this link Vaccines for children | NHS inform
If you need to change your child’s appointment time or speak to a clinician, the Vaccination Service would be happy to help on 0300 303 5313.
Please note that Stromness Surgery and ferry linked isles surgeries will provide this service to their patients.
Some useful information updated on Monday 12 January 2026 Childhood vaccination programme | National Services Scotland.
School Immunisations
The NHS Orkney Vaccination Team will deliver this service, and it will be delivered within the schools.
If you have missed your appointment or have any other queries please call the Vaccination Team on 0300 303 5313.
Please note ferry linked isles provide this service to their patients
Pneumococcal
If you have missed your appointment or have any other queries please call the Vaccination Team on 0300 303 5313.
Please note Stromness Surgery and ferry linked isles surgeries will provide this service to their patients
Shingles
Anyone in Orkney who is currently eligible for shingles vaccination has been invited. Letters to newly at risk patients are also sent throughout the year.
The NHS Orkney Vaccination Team delivers this service for the majority of Orkney residents and it is delivered within the Vaccination Service at The Balfour.
If you have missed your appointment or have any other queries please call the Vaccination Team on 0300 303 5313.
Please note Stromness Surgery and ferry linked isles surgeries provide this service to their patients.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine
Anyone in Orkney who is currently eligible for RSV vaccination has been invited.
The NHS Orkney Vaccination Team delivers this service for the majority of Orkney residents and it is delivered within the Vaccination Service at The Balfour.
If you have missed your appointment or have any other queries please call the Vaccination Team on 0300 303 5313.
Please note Stromness Surgery and ferry linked isles surgeries provide this service to their patients.