Understanding Meningitis

Meningitis is a serious infection that causes inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by bacteria or viruses, with bacterial meningitis being the most severe and potentially life-threatening form.

One of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis in the UK is meningococcal group B (MenB), which is responsible for the majority of cases.

Symptoms can develop quickly and may include a high temperature, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, vomiting, confusion, and sometimes a rash that does not fade when pressed. The illness can progress rapidly and may lead to serious complications such as hearing loss, brain injury, seizures, or blood poisoning (sepsis).

Meningitis spreads through close contact such as coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing drinks. Teenagers, young adults, and students living in shared accommodation are at increased risk due to close social contact.

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect against this serious infection.

About the Service

Meningitis vaccination is particularly important for teenagers, university students, and those wanting additional protection against meningococcal disease.

While the MenB vaccine is offered on the NHS to infants, older children, teenagers, and adults are not routinely covered. This creates a demand for private vaccination for those seeking protection later in life.

About the Vaccination

Our private vaccination service offers the Bexsero (MenB) vaccine for older children, teenagers, and young adults, particularly those preparing for university or living in shared accommodation. It helps reduce the risk of serious illness and complications during higher-risk periods.

How much does it cost?

The cost for each dose of the Bexsero vaccine is £110. As two doses are required, the total course cost is £220.

Get Vaccinated

By choosing our private meningitis vaccination service, you can protect yourself against one of the most common and serious causes of meningitis in the UK. Complete our vaccination request form today.

Understanding Shingles

Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash, triggered by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox in the past, the virus remains dormant in your body and can be reactivated, typically during periods of stress or when your immune system is weakened.
Besides a painful rash, shingles can cause fever.
The rash can take up to four weeks to heal and may lead to long-term pain known as Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN), which can last for months or even years.
While shingles itself is not contagious, it can cause chickenpox in individuals who have never had it. This happens because shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus.
Unlike chickenpox, shingles can recur, leading to repeated bouts of the condition.

About the Service

While patients aged 65 years and older qualify for a free shingles vaccine on the NHS, those aged 50-64 are not eligible, creating a demand for our private vaccination service.
The shingles vaccine helps to build up your immunity to the virus, significantly reducing your risk of developing shingles. If you do get shingles, your symptoms are likely to be milder. Additionally, the vaccine lowers your risk of experiencing long-term pain from shingles, known as Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN), and reduces the likelihood of being hospitalised due to complications.

About the Vaccination

We use the Shingrix vaccine, which is known for its strong and long-lasting immune response, offering over 90% protection against shingles in adults aged 50 and above and about 91% effectiveness in those over 70. This is the same vaccine used by the NHS for those over 65. Shingrix requires two doses, administered 2 to 6 months apart, with an ideal interval of 2 months. An annual booster is not required.

How much does it cost?

The cost for each dose of the Shingrix vaccine is £200, and since two doses are required to complete the course, the total service cost amounts to £400.

Get Vaccinated

By choosing our private vaccination service, you can protect yourself against shingles even if you do not qualify for the NHS vaccine. Complete our vaccination request form today.

Understanding Flu

Flu (influenza) is a common infectious respiratory illness. You can catch flu all year round, but it’s especially common in winter.  It is spread by germs in coughs and sneezes which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours. The flu can cause serious complications in children, the elderly, those with a weakened immune system and pregnant women.

About the Service

Our private flu vaccination service is suitable for anyone over the age of 18 who is not eligible for a free influenza vaccine from their local healthboard.

The NHS offer free flu vaccination to adults who are most at risk of becoming seriously ill from flu. Community Pharmacies in some healthboards have been asked to support the administration of these vaccinations.

About the Vaccination

The flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to reduce your risk of getting flu, it will also help reduce the risk of spreading flu to others.

Although the flu jab does not prevent 100% of all flu cases, people who have been vaccinated and who catch a strain of the flu they are vaccinated against tend to have less severe symptoms which usually improve within a shorter period of time.

You need to get vaccinated every year in order to stay protected – the flu virus is constantly changing, and the vaccine is formulated every year to remain effective against the most common strands of the flu.

It can take up to 14 days for your immunity to develop after getting the flu jab. This is why it’s always best to get vaccinated early in the season to minimise your chance of catching it before you develop immunity.

Where is this service available?

Our private flu vaccination service is available from selected branches. Please view the form the provider list changes with stock availability.

The NHS Flu vaccination service is available from:

• Ayrshire & Arran – Crosshouse
• Fife – Elie and Thornton.
• Forth Valley – Drymen, Killin and Strathblane.

How much does it cost?

The cost for private flu vaccination is £25.

NHS flu vaccination is free in line with Scottish Government recommendations.

The full list of eligibility criteria can be found at https://www.nhsinform.scot/flu

Get Vaccinated

By choosing our vaccination service, you can protect yourself against flu. Complete our vaccination request form today.

Understanding Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. It can cause anything from a mild, short-term illness to a serious, long-term (chronic) condition.
The virus spreads through blood and certain body fluids, such as semen or vaginal fluids. Not everyone experiences symptoms — in fact, many people have no symptoms or only mild ones. Most infections last one to three months, but if the virus remains in the body for more than six months, it’s known as chronic hepatitis B.

About the Service

In the UK, hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for:

• • • People travelling to or from countries where hepatitis B is common – see our Travel Vaccination Service
    • Healthcare workers and others who come into regular contact with blood or body fluids
    • Individuals at higher risk of infection through lifestyle or occupational exposure

Our service offers safe, effective protection for those at increased risk.

About the Vaccine

The hepatitis B vaccine has been part of the UK childhood immunisation schedule since 2017. It’s suitable for all age groups.
The vaccine stimulates your immune system to protect against hepatitis B, without causing the disease.
A typical course involves 3 to 4 doses over 2 to 6 months. An accelerated schedule can be completed in as little as 21 days, followed by a booster dose after one year. Once completed, booster doses are not usually needed. However, a single booster may be considered 5 years after the initial course for individuals at continued high risk. People at occupational risk may require periodic blood tests to confirm continued immunity.

How much does it cost?

£40 per dose. Most people will need 3 doses, totalling £120. Accelerated and booster schedules may involve additional costs