Campaign overviews

Hajj is an Islamic religious pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia which is attended by 2 to 3 million pilgrims annually. The dates for Hajj 1445H/2024 are between 14 June and 19 June 2024.

World Immunisation Week (WIW) is taking place 24–30 April 2024. This is a good opportunity to build public trust in the value of all vaccines and help build long-term support for immunisation.

In Scotland, bowel cancer is the third most common cancer and the second most common cause of death due to cancer. That’s why it’s important that those eligible (those aged 50 to 74) use the screening test kit sent to their home. It aims to find cancer at an early stage when treatment is likely to be more effective.

PHS’s Head of Immunisation and Vaccination, Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, visited the Eddlewood Vaccination Centre in NHS Lanarkshire yesterday to highlight the importance of coming forward for the shingles vaccination to those eligible.

Everyone who’s eligible will now start to receive their COVID-19 spring vaccine invitation, as their level of protection may have faded since their last dose. 

Smoking is one of the single largest preventable causes of premature death and ill health in Scotland. It causes approximately 8,260 smoking-related deaths every year in Scotland and is responsible for around 40,766 hospital admissions.

Pneumococcal infection can cause serious illnesses like pneumonia and bacterial meningitis. Those aged 65 or over, or those under 65 with certain health conditions are at greater risk.

The pneumococcal vaccine is the best way to protect against the diseases and conditions caused by the pneumococcal bacteria.

As is often the case in winter, we have seen a small increase in invasive meningococcal disease, including meningitis, in recent weeks.

Cases of measles are on the rise and, as is often the case in winter, we have seen a small increase in invasive meningococcal disease, including meningitis, in recent weeks.

With two cases of laboratory-confirmed measles since October 2023, one of which was confirmed last week, Public Health Scotland (PHS) is encouraging the public to take up the offer of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine which is highly effective in protecting against measles.

With two cases of laboratory-confirmed measles since October 2023, one of which was confirmed last week, Public Health Scotland (PHS) is encouraging the public to take up the offer of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine which is highly effective in protecting against measles.

Infectious diseases such as meningitis, septicaemia and measles can spread easily in university and college communities. Cases of measles are rising in other parts of the UK and students are the second biggest at-risk group of contracting meningitis, after babies and toddlers. That's why it’s important to remind students about free vaccinations provided by NHS Scotland before they start their second semester. These vaccines offer the best protection against these serious, and in some cases life threatening diseases.