The run up to Christmas can be a busy time of year, but NHS Ayrshire & Arran is making it as easy as possible to get your winter vaccinations this December. If you are due your COVID-19 booster and/or seasonal flu vaccine you can get it without an appointment at a local drop-in clinic from Tuesday 12 December.
Last winter in Scotland, hospital admissions for flu and COVID-19 peaked on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day respectively. Don’t let your protection fade – come forward for vaccination to a clinic at a time and location that suits you best.
Drop-in vaccine clinics will be running in Ayrshire at the venues and times stated below and can cater to eligible groups aged 12 years and over*:
Tuesday 12 December
- Auchinleck Boswell Centre, 9am – 4.30pm
- Pro Soccer, Ayr, 9am – 3.30pm
Thursday 14 December
- Walker Hall, Troon, 9am – 3.30pm
Friday 15 December
- Galleon Leisure Centre, Kilmarnock, 9am – 3.30pm
Saturday 16 December
- Girvan Community Hospital, 9am – 3.30pm
- Dalmellington Community Centre, 9am – 11am
- Patna Primary School, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Further scheduled clinics will be announced in due course. Please visit our website to get the latest details of drop-in vaccination opportunities: Vaccines – NHS Ayrshire & Arran (nhsaaa.net)
NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Director of Public Health, Lynne McNiven said:
“The festive season is drawing closer, a time that many of us will be spending with family and friends. However, it is also the time of year when viruses such as flu and COVID-19 are more likely to spread.
“It takes about 10 days after receiving your winter vaccines for the body to build up maximum protection, so those eligible for one or both vaccines who have not yet come forward are being urged to do so now.
“Our dedicated vaccination teams have been working hard in communities across Ayrshire delivering winter vaccines since September. Teams are delighted to now be able to offer additional opportunities for people aged 12 years and over to get their flu and covid vaccinations without an appointment. If you’re eligible, simply come along to the location that suits you best from the clinics listed and you can get your winter vaccines on a drop-in basis.
“If you prefer, you can also book a slot, as we have plenty bookable capacity at our local vaccine clinics. Call the helpline on 0800 030 8013 or visit the booking portal on the NHS Inform website to get a date in the diary to protect yourself against coronavirus and seasonal flu.”
ENDS
Background
*Children aged under 12 years cannot drop-in for flu or COVID vaccines to these clinics. If your child has missed their flu vaccine appointment please visit https://www.nhsaaa.net/services/services-a-z/flu-vaccine/ for further information on what to do. If you are a parent or carer of a child under 12 who has a condition that makes them eligible for a COVID-19 booster and is yet to have one this winter please call 01563 826540 to arrange an appointment.
More information about the winter vaccines, including eligibility and the online booking portal, is available at nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines.
All bookings and rearrangements are made through the online booking portal.
For those who cannot access the portal, you can phone the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013 to book or rearrange your appointment. The helpline is open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday.
Some individuals are only eligible for a flu vaccine, whereas others are eligible for both flu and COVID-19 vaccination.
Flu only vaccination administration
The groups below are eligible for their flu vaccines this winter:
- Children aged 6 months to 2 years at higher risk of flu
- Children aged 2 to 5 (and not yet in school) on 1 September 2023
- All primary school pupils
- All secondary school pupils
- People aged 18 to 64 with an eligible condition
- People aged 50 and over
- Nursery, primary and secondary school teachers and pupil-facing support staff
- Prison population, prison officers and support staff who deliver direct front-facing detention services
- Non-frontline NHS healthcare workers**
COVID-19 and flu vaccination co-administration
The groups below are eligible for their flu and COVID-19 vaccines this winter:
- Residents and staff in care homes for older adults
- People aged 65 and over
- Those aged 6 months and over with a condition that places them at higher risk
- Pregnant women
- Frontline healthcare workers*
- Frontline social care workers
- Carers (including unpaid and young carers aged 16 and over)
- Those aged 12 or over who are a household contact of someone with a weakened immune system
*Includes independent contractors and support staff who are patient facing (GP, dental, optometry, community pharmacy)
**Includes all independent contractors and support staff (GP, dental, optometry, community pharmacy)
