LATEST UPDATES – July 2025
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine
Did you know there’s a vaccine that helps protect against RSV?
RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system. While most RSV infections are usually mild, it can cause severe illness for older adults and in babies under one year of age. For those at greatest risk, RSV can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis, leading to complications and hospitalisation.
The NHS in Scotland recommends you have the RSV vaccine if you are:
- turning 75 years old on and between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026
- pregnant.
Older adults who are turning 75 years old between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026 will be sent an appointment letter. Pregnant women are encouraged to speak to their midwife about getting the vaccine from 28 weeks of their pregnancy.
Those aged 76-79 who have previously not received the RSV vaccine are also eligible for vaccination. Contact your local immunisation team for further information.
For more information please visit www.nhsinform.scot/rsv-adult or www.nhsinform.scot/rsv-baby
When you receive your appointment details, please make sure you check in for your appointment at Central Reception of The Balfour and you will be directed where to go.
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 your vaccines are up to date before returning after the summer break.
International students
If you’ve moved to Scotland from overseas, make sure you’re up to date with 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 Vaccinations
Some changes are being made to the routine childhood vaccination schedule in July 2025. If your child has not yet attended their 12-week appointment, they will now be offered their MenB vaccine at 12 weeks and pneumococcal vaccine at 16 weeks. You do not have to do anything. Your child will receive an appointment letter when they are eligible.
Speak to your health visitor, midwife, vaccination service, GP, community nurse, practice nurse, community pharmacy or another healthcare practitioner for more information. Check what vaccinations your child is eligible at www.nhsinform.scot
If you need to change your child’s appointment time 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.
Baby Immunisations
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. Patients will be invited by letter.
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
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.