Vaccination coverage in Scotland
Published on: 14 October 2025 | read | Publication size: 1.05 MB

Vaccination rates

Equitable vaccination access and uptake is a necessity for population health1

 



Vaccination inequalities are associated with many factors, including age, geography, socio-economic status and ethnicity.2



Uptake of all vaccinations is lower for people living in the most deprived areas than those in the least deprived areas.2 The gaps are greater for teenage and adult vaccinations.2,3



Meningococcal ACWY: 22% point gap.3

Shingles: 28% point gap.2

Vaccination inequalities

Vaccination rates in Scotland are high but falling.2 Every vaccination given is a potential illness averted or life saved1

Variation in vaccination uptake and coverage rates across Scotland3,4

Vaccination Chart Scotland

Vaccination uptake

Scotland aims to prevent illness and mortality by improving vaccination uptake.1
Scotland’s 5-year delivery plan identifies variation in vaccination uptake and coverage rates across Scotland3,4 and outlines four priorities for vaccination:

Timely and equitable access
Services meet the needs of all communities.

Make every contact count
Optimise public experience and engagement.

Strengthen capacity and capability
Build the vaccination workforce.

Use a system-wide approach
Deliver safe, effective and sustainable services.1

References

  1. Public Health Scotland, ‘Scotland’s 5-year Vaccination and Immunisation Framework and Delivery Plan’, published November 2024, available at https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/scotlands-5-year-vaccination-and-immunisation-framework-and-delivery-plan/
  2. Public Health Scotland, ‘Protecting the population of Scotland from vaccine preventable diseases: Vaccination and Immunisation Report Annual report in 2024’, published 10 June 2025, available at Protecting the population of Scotland from vaccine preventable diseases: Vaccination and Immunisation Report in 2024 - Protecting the population of Scotland from vaccine preventable diseases: Vaccination and Immunisation Report - Publications - Public Health Scotland
  3. Public Health Scotland Vaccination Surveillance Dashboard, all data accessed 12 September 2025, available at https://scotland.shinyapps.io/phs-vaccination-surveillance/
  4. Public Health Scotland, 'Childhood immunisation statistics Scotland, year ending 31 December 2024', accessed September 2025, available
    at https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/childhood-immunisation-statistics-scotland/childhood-immunisation-statistics-scotland-quarter-and-year-ending-31-december-2024/.
  • Publisher
    ABPI
  • Last modified
    15 October 2025
  • Last reviewed
    15 October 2025