Practice updates

Practice Updates

Practice Update – Autumn/Winter 2025


We’d like to share some important updates to help us continue providing the best possible care for all our patients:


Winter Flu (Influenza) Vaccine 2025


Why have the flu vaccine?

  • Each year, the flu viruses change. The vaccine is updated accordingly to best protect against the circulating strains
  • If you get flu after vaccination, symptoms are usually milder and you're less likely to need hospital care.
  • It also helps reduce spread to vulnerable people (older, immunosuppressed, etc).

Who is eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine?

In Scotland / Greater Glasgow & Clyde the 2025/26 flu immunisation programme offers the vaccine to the following groups:

  • Adults aged 65 years and over
  • People aged 18–64 who have certain underlying health conditions (e.g. chronic respiratory disease, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, neurological conditions, supressed immune system)
  • Pregnant women
  • Children:
    - Aged 2 to 5 years (not yet at school)
    - All primary school pupils (P1–P7)
    - Secondary school pupils (S1–S6)
    - Aged 6 months to 18 years with certain underlying health conditions (clinical risk groups)
  • People who live in a long-stay care home or nursing home
  • People who live with someone who has a weakened immune system
  • Unpaid carers or young carers
  • Frontline health or social care workers, and non-frontline NHS staff in some cases

The vaccine is usually offered from October onwards; invitations will be sent to eligible people. The programme runs until 31 March 2026 for flu vaccines. 

How to get the flu vaccine

  • If you're eligible, you will be invited by NHS Scotland / NHSGGC.
  • You can get it via your GP surgery (book an appointment).
  • Some community pharmacies offering NHS flu vaccines may allow walk-in or booked appointments (for adults).
  • Children’s vaccines are often delivered through school programmes where applicable.

Things to know / precautions

  • You only need one flu vaccination per season.
  • If you have a high temperature, or are unwell on the day, vaccination may be delayed until you recover.
  • If you have had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a flu vaccine or one of its ingredients before, discuss with your GP or vaccination provider.
  • Some vaccines contain small amounts of egg protein. If you have a severe egg allergy, the vaccinator will choose the safest option.
  • Side effects are generally mild: soreness at the injection site, mild fever, or muscle aches. 

More info: NHS inform | Public Health Scotland / www.nhsggc.scot / publichealthscotland.scot / www.nhs.uk


COVID-19 Vaccine / Booster 2025 


Who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine (autumn / winter) in Scotland?

In the 2025 seasonal (autumn/winter) COVID-19 vaccination campaign, eligibility is focused on those at higher risk of severe illness:

  • Adults aged 75 or over (including those turning 75 by 31 January 2026)
  • Residents in older adult care homes
  • Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed due to health conditions or treatments (e.g. cancer therapy, organ transplant, immunosuppressant drugs)
  • Health or social care workers may also be offered, depending on local arrangements and risk groups

Some changes from previous years:

  • In past years, broader age ranges (e.g. 65–74) or all adults in the clinical risk groups might have been eligible. The 2025 programme is more focused, per updated JCVI advice.
  • The COVID-19 vaccine campaign in GGC runs until 31 January 2026 for eligible groups.

How to access the COVID-19 vaccine via NHS

  • If you are eligible, you will be invited or informed how to book through NHS / NHSGGC channels.
  • Appointments may be available via GP clinics, community vaccination centres, or pharmacies, depending on your area.
  • You do not always need to wait for an invitation; some vaccination sites may accept eligible people who book directly.


More info: NHS inform | Public Health Scotland / www.nhsggc.scot / publichealthscotland.scot / www.nhs.uk / ukhsa.blog.gov.uk


Private Vaccination Options (Flu / COVID)

If a patient is not eligible under NHS criteria or prefers to use a private service, there are private providers (especially pharmacies and travel clinics) in and around the Glasgow area. Here are examples and things to note:


Private COVID-19 vaccination

  • Bannermans Pharmacy (Glasgow) offers private COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer) for about £80.
  • Gilbride Pharmacy offers private COVID vaccinations at some branches.
  • Private COVID vaccine services are increasingly available in pharmacies across Scotland, typically after a clinical consultation to confirm safety.
  • Some providers charge for the vaccine (not free) – for example, Pfizer around £75–£85; Novavax (protein-based) sometimes lower (£45–£55) depending on provider.
  • Note: private providers will check your health status, prior vaccination history, contraindications, etc., before offering the jab.


Private Flu vaccination

  • Many private pharmacies offer “private flu jabs” to those not eligible under NHS, or for convenience.
  • Because of demand, some people not eligible for the NHS flu vaccine (under current criteria) may opt to pay privately at pharmacies.


Private / Travel Clinics & Pharmacies in / near Glasgow

  1. Gilbride Pharmacy
    Private vaccinations and COVID service. They list “Vaccinations” including private services. 
    Website: gilbridepharmacy.co.uk

  2. Bannermans Pharmacy 
    Private COVID-19 vaccine. 
    Location: Around Glasgow area.
    Website: bannermanspharmacy.co.uk

  3. Travel Clinic Glasgow 
    Travel vaccinations and health advice. 
    Locations: Argyle Street (Finnieston) and Gartcosh in Glasgow.
    Website: travelclinicglasgow.co.uk

  4. Emcare Travel Clinic (Glasgow) 
    Travel health and vaccinations. 
    Location: City centre. 
    Website: emcaretravelclinic.co.uk

  5. Superdrug Health Clinic, Glasgow 
    Health and vaccination services. They do travel and health vaccination work. 
    Location: Glasgow city centre. 
    Website: healthclinics.superdrug.com


📞 Telephone Consultations & Prescriptions

If you speak to a GP over the phone and a prescription is issued, please do not come to collect it before 5pm. Prescriptions may not be ready earlier, and we want to avoid any wasted trips.


💊 Prescription Ordering and Collection

Please allow 72 working hours (3 days) after ordering your prescription before collection.
Collections can be made after 11am — as 9am to 11am is reserved for emergency matters only.
Please make sure your nominated pharmacy is up to date so prescriptions go to the right place without delay.


📱 Contact Details

It’s very important that we have your correct phone number and address. Please call our reception team on the main surgery line to update your contact details. This helps ensure we can reach you about your care quickly and efficiently.


🚪 Appointments

All appointments must be booked by phone. Please do not come to the reception desk to book, as staff will ask you to call instead.


We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we continue to improve our services and patient care.