Tens of thousands of people in Ayrshire are being offered their seasonal flu and COVID vaccinations this winter, with appointments taking place at community clinics across the region.
While the clinics have been busy, there have been appointments not attended since the winter programme began in September. From this week (Monday 4 November) National Contact Centre staff will be making telephone calls to those who did not attend (DNA) their appointment to ask if they wish to have a future appointment scheduled. Calls will be made on the number 0800 030 8013, so if you see this number on your phone display please be reassured it is the NHS calling.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Director of Public Health Lynne McNiven said:
“Our aim is to encourage high uptake of winter vaccinations among those groups of Ayrshire patients who are being offered them this winter. This is to enable our most vulnerable groups to have the best available protection against winter viruses, which can cause severe illness for those most at risk including older people, those with weakened immune system and pregnant women.
“While our vaccinators have been busy with patients at the clinics, there have unfortunately been appointments missed, with some of those invited not attending on the day. There are many reasons why people may not have attended an appointment, whether the time and location didn’t suit, they were on holiday or did not wish to come forward for their vaccinations. To allow us to better support the timely delivery of the winter vaccine programme and to help make the best use of our clinic capacity for those planning to come along, please ensure you reschedule if the time and date is not suitable, or call the number on your letter to cancel if you are not planning to attend.
“If you receive a phone call from our colleagues at the National Contact Centre helpline, which is 0800 030 8013, please answer the phone to arrange your appointment. This will allow us to offer more appointments and plan our vaccination teams and clinic locations in the most effective way we can for the remaining months of the winter programme.
“Thanks to everyone who has attended so far and also to those who have cancelled their appointments ahead of time, when they knew they were not able to attend.”
ENDS
BACKGROUND
You’ll be offered flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines this winter if you’re:
- living or working in a care home for older adults
- aged 65 and over
- aged 6 months and over with an eligible health condition
- pregnant
- a frontline health or social care worker
You’ll be offered the flu vaccine if you’re:
- aged 18 to 64 with an eligible health condition
- living with someone who has a weakened immune system
- an unpaid or young carer
- a non-frontline NHS worker
- a poultry worker
- an asylum seeker living in a home office hotel or B&B accommodation
- experiencing homelessness or substance misuse
- living in a Scottish prison
- living in a long-stay residential care home or other long stay care facility
Read more about the Ayrshire flu vaccine programme.
Read more about the child flu vaccine including who is eligible.