Campaign overviews

Last winter, Scotland experienced very high levels of flu, with more than 6,500 adults becoming so ill that they were admitted to hospital. Despite this surge, flu vaccine uptake among health and social care workers, who are considered an at-risk group, remained low.

This winter, the free flu vaccine is being offered to certain poultry workers and bird handlers to protect them from getting ill with the flu virus.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October 2025) presents a key opportunity to raise awareness of breast screening.

National Eye Health Week (22 – 28 September 2025) provides an opportunity to promote awareness and understanding around the importance of diabetic eye screening (DES).

Last winter, Scotland experienced very high levels of flu, with more than 6,500 adults becoming so ill that they were admitted to hospital.

Last year, there was particularly high levels of flu in circulation and uptake of the flu vaccine amongst healthcare workers was around 35%.

Public Health Scotland has developed a social media toolkit to raise awareness about the vaccines offered during pregnancy and to help expectant mothers understand the importance of vaccination.

Students are at increased risk of infectious diseases like meningitis and measles. These diseases spread easily in universities and colleges, as students mix closely with others from around the country and overseas.  The new term is an opportunity to remind new and returning students about the free vaccinations they are eligible for. 

In Scotland, all children aged 2 to 5 years (not yet in school) are offered the nasal (nose) spray flu vaccine.

In Scotland, all children and young people in primary and secondary school are offered the nasal (nose) spray flu vaccine.

In Scotland, all children and young people aged 2-17 years are offered the nasal (nose) spray flu vaccine.

When a woman smokes during pregnancy, or when she is exposed to second-hand smoke, oxygen to the baby is restricted making the baby’s heart beat faster and exposing the baby to harmful toxins. As a result, smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke during pregnancy is responsible for an increased rate of stillbirth, miscarriage and birth defects. This exacerbates existing health inequalities as women from more deprived backgrounds are more likely to smoke during pregnancy and to be exposed to second-hand smoke during pregnancy.