Vaccination Service
Vaccination Programmes
Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect public health. Since 1974, vaccines have saved about 154 million lives worldwide. This is about 6 lives every minute for the past 50 years. About 101 million of those lives saved were babies.
People in the UK are offered vaccines to protect them from a number of different diseases. These pages explain which vaccines are offered to babies, children, and adults and when they should get them. Click on one of the boxes below to learn more.
Recent Updates
There are currently no updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between vaccination and immunisation?
Vaccination is when you get a vaccine. This can be by having an injection, or taking a dose of the vaccine in through your nose or mouth.
Immunisation is what happens after you get vaccinated. You become protected (immune) against the disease because of the vaccine. This means you are now immune to that illness.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself against serious illnesses.
How do I find out what vaccinations I’ve had?
You should first contact your GP as they will have access to your vaccination records. If they’re not able to help you, please call the Vaccination Service on 01698 687 456.
Where can I find out more about changes to the vaccination schedules?
There were a number of changes to the UK Childhood Vaccination Schedule in 2025 and 2026. The changes are based on the latest scientific evidence. You can find out more about the recent changes on NHS Inform.
If there are any changes to who can get a vaccination, you will be told about this in your appointment letter. You can find more information on NHS Inform.
What if I have missed a vaccine appointment?
Don’t worry if you miss a vaccine appointment. You can book another appointment time and stay protected. Your invite letter or consent form will tell you how to rebook. You can also find the contact information in the programme pages listed on this website.
If you or your child have missed a vaccine and are now older than the recommended age for the vaccine, talk to your GP or Health Visitor. You may need a referral before you can get the vaccine.
Will I be able to get extra vaccines?
Some patients may need extra vaccines. This is because of
- certain health conditions
- lifestyle factors
- medical treatments
These can increase the risk of getting certain diseases.
To get these, you’ll usually need a referral from your GP or specialist care provider. Please speak to your provider about this.
How can I contact NHS Lanarkshire?
You can find contact details including phone numbers on the different vaccination pages. Different teams provide different vaccines. This depends on your age or health needs.
Interpretation services
We can arrange an interpreter quickly if you need one. Interpreters are available in over 200 languages, including British Sign Language. We use the LanguageLine app on iPads.
If you need an interpreter, please tell a member of staff when you arrive for your appointment.
Useful Links
- NHS Inform Immunisation: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/
- World Health Organization: https://who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization
- Vaccine Knowledge Project: https://vaccineknowledge.ox.ac.uk/home
- Public Health Scotland immunisation, vaccine and preventable diseases: https://publichealthscotland.scot/population-health/health-protection/immunisation-vaccine-and-preventable-disease/
