With nearly 1.5 million flu and COVID-19 vaccines administered across Scotland so far this winter, NHS Ayrshire & Arran is reminding those who have not yet received their free winter vaccines to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
An increase in the number of people experiencing coughs, colds and flu-like illnesses is recorded during the colder winter months when people stay indoors for longer, and in larger groups.
This year’s winter vaccination programme is focused on protecting those most vulnerable to flu and COVID-19. This includes older adults, and people with underlying health conditions, such as heart conditions or liver disease that put them at greater risk of illness from flu and COVID-19. Pregnant women are also strongly recommended to take up the vaccines, to give them and their babies the best possible protections against serious illness from these viruses.
All frontline health and social care workers are eligible for the free flu and COVID-19 vaccines, while all NHS staff are eligible for the flu vaccine this winter. The vaccines offer protection against the most likely circulating strains.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Public Health Director Lynne McNiven said: “Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and others and we’re pleased to see so many people in Ayrshire coming forward to take up the offer.
“Evidence shows that the flu virus changes over time and COVID-19 vaccine protection fades. The vaccinations offered this season can top up your protection against severe illness from flu and COVID-19.
“Those that have not yet received their vaccines are strongly encouraged to come forward and make an appointment. To make an appointment visit www.nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines”.
For eligible staff, we also advise checking our local arrangements across Ayrshire. If you think you may be eligible for either a flu or COVID-19 vaccine this winter (or both), you can check using our self-help guide on NHS Inform.
Notes to editors:
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.
Pregnant women can also book an appointment online or via the national vaccination helpline, with further information available from midwives. Flu and COVID-19 infection can lead to complications such as early labour, low birth weight and stillbirth.
You can rearrange your appointment if the time or day you’ve been given doesn’t suit you. There are evening and weekend vaccination clinics available too. If it’s more convenient, you can book or reschedule your appointment to a vaccination clinic closer to where you work or somewhere you visit regularly.
Some individuals are only eligible for a flu vaccine, whereas others are eligible for both flu and COVID-19 vaccination.
Eligibility Table
| Group | Covid | Flu |
| 65+ | Yes | Yes |
| Residents in care homes for older adults | Yes | Yes |
| 6 months – 64 years at Covid-19 clinical risk | Yes | Yes |
| Staff in care homes for older adults | Yes* | Yes |
| Frontline HSCWs | Yes* | Yes |
| Non-frontline NHS workers | No | Yes* |
| 18-64 years with an eligible flu-only clinical risk condition | No | Yes |
| Unpaid carers (including young carers) | No | Yes |
| Household contacts of those with immunosuppression | No | Yes |
| Asylum seekers living in Home Office hotel or B&B accommodation | No | Yes* |
| Those experiencing homelessness | No | Yes |
| Those experiencing substance misuse | No | Yes* |
| All prisoners within the Scottish prison estate | No | Yes |
| Poultry workers | No | Yes |
To optimise an individual’s protection over the winter months and alleviate pressures on the NHS, the winter programme will aim to complete most vaccinations by early December.