NHS Highland to deliver vaccinations under national 'transformation programme'
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Routine vaccinations for those heading overseas on holiday and childhood immunisations are being centralised through the health board.
From March 1, NHS Highland will deliver most vaccinations rather than a local GP practice.
The health board said that the move was part of a "national vaccination transformation programme".
It will include vaccines such as childhood vaccines, including the primary immunisation course for infants and the pre-school booster, as well as adult vaccination programmes such as the shingles vaccine.
Dr Tim Allison, director of public health for NHS Highland, said: “How you get invited to attend for your vaccination is not going to change. You will still be invited by letter to make an appointment for vaccination but going forwards this may now be at a new local venue dependant on where you live.
“Our local service delivery centre will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about your appointment and our teams in our locally run clinics will ensure everything goes smoothly on the day.”
Travel vaccinations have already begun to transition to health board delivery with a number of community pharmacies across Highland now carrying out this service.
NHS Highland added that immunisation is one of the most effective public health interventions for preventing illness and deaths from infectious diseases and people are encouraged to attend for vaccinations when invited.
