Transport to your covid vaccination appointment

East Lothian Vaccination Centre

Attendance at the East Lothian Vaccination Centre is by appointment only. It is not a drop-in clinic - you can't get a vaccine without an appointment. Appointment letters are being sent out to people in the appropriate priority groups. 

The role of the East Lothian Vaccination Centre is to support the work of the mass vaccination centres in and around Edinburgh. Many people in East Lothian will still be asked to attend a Mass Vaccination Centre in the Edinburgh area for their appointment. These appointments are allocated centrally and you will only be able to change an appointment if there is a significant problem with the appointment you have been allocated - for example, if you have complex medical needs.

Help with transport

Appointments cannot be allocated on the grounds of convenience - they must be allocated in line with clinical and strategic requirements. 

It is really important to get your vaccination. If you do not have transport to get to your appointment, first ask family or friends for help, as transport services are in high demand and have to be available for those with the greatest need. If your family or friends can't help, here are here are some alternative options.

Attending a vaccination appointment at your GP practice

RVS may be able to help - contact them at eastlothian@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk or phone 01875 811 011. Or you can contact HCL's Dial-a-Ride service.

Information for people who are shielding

If you are experencing difficulty getting to an appointment because you are shielding, please contact the National Assistance Line on 0800 111 4000.

Getting to your appointment

  • travel to a vaccination appointment is classified as essential travel
  • it is OK if someone outside your ‘bubble’ drives you to your appointment. Just follow the Travelling Safely guidance
  • it is OK to use public transport
  • whether travelling in a car or on public transport, make sure you follow the Travelling Safely guidance
  • if you already use NHS Lothian Patient Transport, you can use this service for travel to any vaccination appointment

Drive-through appointments

If you are given a drive-through appointment don’t come on foot - you should be in a car.

If you are given a drive-through appointment but you don’t have a car and no one can take you in their car - you can re-arrange your appointment by going to NHS Inform or calling the national helpline number. You will find more about this in your appointment letter or see 'Further sources of information and support' on this webpage.

Further sources of information and support

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