Also in the news 30 June
- Meningitis vaccination programme
- Yell pupils head out on Swan
- Shetland features in new kids book
- Consultation on water charges
NHS SHETLAND is to offer a programme of MenB vaccination against meningitis through the Scottish Government this summer.
The MenB vaccine will be offered to:
- young people born between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009, and any others who were in S6 during the 2025-26 academic year, regardless of future education plans
- undergraduate university entrants under the age of 25 who are starting for the first time in the academic year 2026-27, including international students
- college entrants under 25 starting for the first time in the academic year 2026-27 while living away from home in shared student accommodation, including international students
The two-dose vaccination programme will commence on Monday 6 July, and it is essential to get both doses.
People can drop in to the Grantfield vaccination centre in Lerwick for their first dose next week, between 9.10am and 12.10pm Monday-Friday and 2pm-4pm on Monday, Thursday and Friday.
If you cannot attend one of these clinics, contact the vaccination team on 01595 743319 or email shet.vaccination-team@nhs.scot to arrange an appointment.
Patients who are registered at Hillswick, Unst, Yell and Whalsay health centres can contact their own practice or attend a drop-in clinic.
Dates for clinics for the second dose will be announced soon.
PUPILS from all three Yell schools experienced life on board sail training vessel Swan last month, courtesy of Cooke Scotland funding.
Nineteen pupils from the Cullivoe, Burravoe and Mid Yell primary schools all had a half-day experience on board Swan during the trips in May.
A further 10 secondary pupils from Mid Yell junior high were able to enjoy an extended trip this year and stayed on board overnight
S3 pupil Riley said they “learned to use all the ropes and that to work the sails” on their trip.
“We took turns at cooking and doing all the clearing up. Sleeping in the bunks was a bit cramped but comfy enough.
“We tried a bit of fishing in the morning. It was great to be away with friends and get to know each other a bit better.”
Cooke Scotland funded the trips, and communications coordinator Emma Grains said they were a “fantastic opportunity for young people to build skills and confidence on the water”.
A NEW children’s book inspired in part by Shetland’s own Viking landscape and the world-famous Up Helly Aa is now on sale at The Shetland Bookshop in Lerwick.
Havelok, Prince of the Vikings is the debut novel for children from author Julia Thompson, creator of Havelok’s Kingdom celebrating Viking heritage through books, live events and digital adventures.
Much of the story was written while Julia was staying with friends in Shetland.
Shetland Bookshop manager Natasha Watt said they were “delighted to welcome Havelok, Prince of the Vikings to our shelves”.
“It’s a real treat to stock a children’s adventure with a connection to Shetland and another great way to encourage children to read,” she said.
Thompson said the story sits “between history and fiction”, and that Shetland’s deep Norse roots and viking-era place names made the isles a fitting home for the book.
Illustrated by artist Kevin Atkins, a finalist on Sky TV’s Portrait Artist of the Year, the book is written for readers aged 8–12 and above.
THE PUBLIC, businesses and organisations in Shetland are being invited to have their say on water and wastewater charges between 2027 and 2033.
The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) has outlined its draft determination of charges for the next six years. It sets out the maximum charges Scottish Water could apply, limiting the annual change in bills to no more than two per cent above inflation in the normal course of events.
Average bills would rise by around £12 per year before inflation, around £7 less than Scottish Water proposed.
WICS is now inviting people, businesses and organisations across Scotland to comment before it reaches its final determination on 29 October.
The new charges take effect from 1 April 2027. Visit here for more details.
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