Public Health Scotland (PHS) is encouraging everyone offered a COVID-19 vaccine this spring to come forward, get vaccinated and stay protected – because COVID-19 hasn’t disappeared.

Last summer in Scotland, there were more than 10,000 reported cases of COVID-19 and over 4,000 people hospitalised.

Elvira Garcia, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Immunisation Coordinator at NHS Orkney said: 

“Even if you feel healthy or your medical condition is well-managed, scientific evidence shows that older people and those with certain underlying conditions are more likely to get seriously ill from a COVID-19 infection. Getting vaccinated could mean the difference between a mild illness and a hospital stay.”

The spring vaccination programme runs from 1 April until 30 June. If you’re eligible and are patients of Skerryvore, Heilendi, Dounby, Daisy Villa, Westray or Sanday practices, you will be invited by letter, email or text message, depending on your selected communication preference. Other ferry linked isles and Stromness Practice patients will be contacted by their own practices.

If you wish to reschedule your appointment, you can, by using the online portal or via the National Vaccination Helpline (0800 030 8013). The helpline is open from 9am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 1pm on Saturday.

This year’s spring vaccination programme is focused on protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19. This includes older adults in care homes, people aged 75 and over, and those with a weakened immune system, as they are at greater risk of illness from COVID-19.

If you’re invited for a COVID-19 vaccination this spring, it’s because experts know that your age or health condition mean you’re at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.

For the week ending 30 March the number of acute COVID-19 admissions to hospital in Scotland was 36.

Health Board of Treatment	16 March 2025	23 March 2025	30 March 2025
NHS Ayrshire and Arran	3	3	3
NHS Borders	0	2	2
NHS Dumfries and Galloway	2	1	1
NHS Fife	6	6	3
NHS Forth Valley	0	6	1
NHS Grampian	4	2	2
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde	8	13	10
NHS Highland	1	1	1
NHS Lanarkshire	2	5	6
NHS Lothian	3	6	3
NHS Orkney	0	0	0
NHS Shetland	0	1	0
NHS Tayside	2	3	4
NHS Western Isles	0	1	0
Golden Jubilee National Hospital	0	0	0
Scotland	31	50	36

For the same week the number of inpatients with COVID-19 in hospital (seven day average) was 58.

Health Board of Treatment	16 March 2025	23 March 2025	30 March 2025
NHS Ayrshire and Arran	12	12	8
NHS Borders	2	8	2
NHS Dumfries and Galloway	0	0	1
NHS Fife	4	5	6
NHS Forth Valley	0	1	1
NHS Grampian	8	5	4
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde	6	11	14
NHS Highland	1	1	3
NHS Lanarkshire	6	8	5
NHS Lothian	4	7	8
NHS Orkney	0	0	0
NHS Shetland	0	1	1
NHS Tayside	3	1	5
NHS Western Isles	0	0	0
Golden Jubilee National Hospital	0	0	0
Scotland	47	61	58

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Immunisation and Vaccination at PHS, said:

“Being vaccinated is the safest and most effective way for older people and those with certain underlying conditions to protect themselves against COVID-19.

“You get your strongest protection from the vaccine in the first three months after getting it. Over time, this protection gradually fades so, even if you had your winter vaccination, it’s important to get another dose this spring to reinforce your immunity and help keep you safe.

“Getting vaccinated could mean the difference between a mild illness and a hospital stay.”

For the week ending 30 March there were 105 acute influenza admissions to hospital.

Health Board of Treatment	16 March 2025	23 March 2025	30 March 2025
NHS Ayrshire and Arran	12	7	2
NHS Borders	1	3	0
NHS Dumfries and Galloway	7	7	5
NHS Fife	17	13	7
NHS Forth Valley	13	11	9
NHS Grampian	9	11	17
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde	24	24	25
NHS Highland	2	13	5
NHS Lanarkshire	11	15	10
NHS Lothian	13	14	13
NHS Orkney	0	0	0
NHS Shetland	1	1	0
NHS Tayside	7	17	12
NHS Western Isles	0	0	0
Golden Jubilee National Hospital	0	0	0
Scotland	117	136	105

The spring vaccination Covid programme runs from 31 March until 30 June. If you’re eligible, you’ll be invited by letter, email or text message, depending on your selected communication preference.

You can reschedule your appointment using the online portal or via the National Vaccination Helpline (0800 030 8013).

Find more information on the spring programme at: www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine

The provisional total number of deaths registered in Scotland in week 13 of 2025 (24th March to 30th March) was 1,164. This is 57 or 5% lower than the expected number of deaths in week 13.

There was 1 Covid related death for that same period.

There were 3 deaths involving influenza.

The highest number of deaths involving influenza in 2025 was for the week ending 6 January, when 168 deaths were recorded.

Fiona Grahame