Vaccinations
Information about the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
It’s really important that you get the Covid-19 vaccine when offered it. The vaccines give you the best protection against Covid-19 and getting vaccinated is one of the best ways you can help stop the pandemic.
We stongly encourage students to get fully vaccinated before they return to University for the start of the Semester.
Please note that if you are travelling to the University from overseas and have not had the vaccine in your home country yet, there is no legal requirement for international arrivals into the UK to have had the Covid-19 vaccine. You will able to get the vaccine in the UK.
For information on staff vaccination appointments, please see Staff - Vaccination.
Scotland's vaccination programme
If you haven't had your vaccine and are registered with a GP in Scotland, you can register for a vaccine using NHS Inform's online registration form.
Registering for a Covid-19 vaccine
Alternatively, if you are 16 or over you can get a vaccine by visiting a drop-in vaccination clinic. You don’t need to be registered with a GP to get your vaccine at a drop-in clinic.
Clinic locations can be found on the NHS Lothian website:
Getting a vaccine If you’ve recently changed your household
If you're spending the summer at home or have recently changed your household and are now living in a different area from where you are registered for a GP:
- We strongly advise you to register for a vaccination or to change your appointment location by calling the Covid-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.
- If you have not registered online, you will instead be notified about your vaccine appointment by post. Please note that if you're a student and are registered with a GP practice at your term-time address, your appointment letter will be sent there.
If you think your appointment letter has gone to your term-time address and you are not currently staying at this address, you will need to use the online ‘missed appointment form’ and input your term-time address so that you can register or change your appointment location:
Vaccinations elsewhere in the UK
You will be offered a Covid-19 vaccine depending on where you are registered with a GP.
The programme rollout differs for different areas of the UK. Please read the latest advice for your area:
- England Covid-19 vaccination programme
- Northern Ireland Covid-19 vaccination programme
- Wales Covid-19 vaccination programme
Vaccinations for students once they arrive in the UK from another country
(Updated 20 August)
The Scottish Government has confirmed that international students will be included in the national vaccination programme, so you will be able to get the vaccine in Edinburgh.
Scottish Government announcement
For students currently living outside of the UK and travelling to Scotland, you do not need to be registered with a General Practitioner (GP ) to receive your Covid-19 vaccine and can still attend a vaccine drop-in clinic (see information about this above), however in all cases we advise students to register with a GP on arrival and seek their advice about their own vaccination status and any specific arrangements for further vaccines.
Registering with a doctor in the UK
If you are travelling to the University from overseas and have not had the vaccine in your home country yet, please note that there is no legal requirement for international arrivals into the UK to have had the Covid-19 vaccine. You will able to get the vaccine in the UK.
Public Health have provided information for GPs and other medical practitioners on the approach to be taken for individuals that have not had a complete course of Covid-19 vaccination from their home country.
If you have not had a complete course of Covid-19 vaccination from your home country and it is not possible to complete the course with the same vaccination the closest alternate can be administered.
Non-UK recognised Covid-19 vaccines
(Updated 16 September 2021)
If you have received a vaccination which is not recognised by the UK authorities you will need to discuss with the clinician at the vaccination centre if you can receive one of the UK recognised vaccinations.
Information for international students on vaccinations is available on the Student Information Scotland pages.
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Questions and answers - including if you have had a first or second dose of a vaccine not recognised in the UK
Vaccines and international travel
You no longer need to self-isolate if you’re travelling to Scotland from an amber list country, you’ve been fully vaccinated and receive a negative PCR result on day two after your arrival.
‘Fully vaccinated’ means that you’ve had a full course of a Covid-19 vaccine through one of the accepted vaccine programmes, and that 14 days have passed since you received your final dose.
If you’ve have not been fully vaccinated, you’ll need to follow the normal amber list rules and you will need to self-isolate for 10 days on your arrival into the UK.
International travel regulations
Vaccine certification scheme (Vaccine passports)
Whether you are a Scottish resident, live elsewhere in the UK or are visiting Scotland, there are various ways you can prove your vaccination status. Full details can be found on the Scottish Government website: