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 strongly encourage students to get fully vaccinated.

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, 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.

Drop in clinics

All students can attend a drop-in clinic if they require a 1st, 2nd vaccine or booster dose of the vaccine without an appointment.

Clinic locations can be found on the NHS Lothian website:

Drop-in Vaccination Clinics

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:

Vaccinations for students once they arrive in the UK from another country

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

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.

COVID-19 vaccinations for international students
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

There are no vaccine requirement for international travel to Scotland.

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:

How to prove your vaccine status

This article was published on 19 Apr, 2022