West Lothian has outperformed the rest of Scotland in its vaccination programme, with the Health and Social Care Partnership reporting greater uptake of adult and child vaccinations across the county than the national average, with regular increases in uptake rates for a second year.
Only the numbers receiving Covid-19 jabs have fallen below the Scottish average, a meeting of the Integration Joint Board heard. The Board oversees the delivery of primary and social care in West Lothian.
Strong performance across immunisation programmes
In her report, Shonagh Anderson, the Clinical Nurse Manager for the vaccination programme, said: “Performance in West Lothian remains strong, exceeding the national average across almost all immunisation programmes.”
The report outlined uptake rates for six jabs offered to adults and 16 offered to children aged 0 to 5.
The uptake of flu jabs to the end of March was 58.2% of the adult population compared to a national average of 55.5%. The overall uptake for Pneumococcal vaccinations between March 2023-March 2026 was 77.4% in the county compared to a national average of 73.1%.
Shingles and Covid-19 uptake
Uptake rates for shingles vaccination were also stronger in West Lothian, at 79.4% compared to 74.3%, over the year from September 2025 to August 2025, the report said.
Nurse Anderson told the meeting: “The West Lothian Adult Vaccination Clinic model provides vaccination clinics within local Health Centres across West Lothian supporting fair and equitable access throughout the area.
“Patients are scheduled to provide appointments in the clinic nearest to their place of residence to support patient centred care, as well as providing vaccines in Care Homes, and in the person’s own home in the community.”
Only Covid-19 jabs fell below Scottish levels, with the most recent round of uptakes reaching 56.7% of those eligible compared to a national average of 58.4%. The report said that “Patient vaccine preference or vaccine fatigue could challenge program delivery.”
Delivery and future plans
The programme is delivered jointly by NHS Lothian and public health colleagues. Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) staff also delivered vaccinations in remote locations.
The report added: “Additionally, bespoke clinics can be arranged in geographic areas where lower uptake is evidenced.
“Coordination with GP Practices in deprived areas of West Lothian has produced successful clinics in previous years and it is intended to replicate that success within this year’s programme.”
Board member Peter Knight praised the service for “a really positive update.”
