Please read the update below on the seasonal flu vaccination programme – including the latest info for staff and the general public.
Health and Social Care workers update:
A reminder that the seasonal flu and COVID-19 autumn/winter vaccination programme for health and social care workers will commence on Monday 5 September.
You may be eligible for both vaccinations if you have a direct patient/service user-facing role, or if you are non-frontline and meet any of the following criteria:
- Age 50+
- Clinically at risk
- Household contact of immunosuppressed person
- Unpaid carer
Eligible staff working in the community can access vaccination through one of NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s mass vaccination clinics. Find more details on the local programme here, including the different pathways to vaccination across Ayrshire and how to book an appointment.
When you attend for your appointment, please remember to take along your ID badge.
If you have any questions regarding the winter vaccination programme, please contact NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Occupational Health Team by emailing aa.occhealthcovidfluimmunisat@aapct.scot.nhs.uk
Guidance for the general public:
People aged 65 and over will be first in line for a winter booster jab to protect the most vulnerable from COVID-19 and ease the pressure on hospitals.
Letters have now been sent out for appointments taking place next month, with the roll-out helping North Ayrshire to get ahead of any potential surge in infections.
The booster jabs will be given at the same time as the flu vaccine to those eligible where possible.
Appointments for all other priority groups will be made available as the programme progresses – people in those groups should wait until they are contacted or called forward.
Read more on the update from NHS Ayrshire & Arran here.
In addition, NHS Ayrshire and Arran will continue to hold drop-in vaccination sessions until Sunday 4 September for first, second and first/spring booster doses of the vaccine throughout Ayrshire. Find the times and locations of the vaccination centres here.
From Monday 5 September, vaccination teams will be delivering the winter vaccination programme in Ayrshire, meaning that clinics will be very busy.
If you are unvaccinated – or have not yet completed your initial course of COVID-19 vaccinations and would like to attend a clinic, please make an appointment rather than drop-in, as you may be turned away.
You can book the winter vaccine online here via the national portal or call the national vaccine helpline on 0800 030 8013 to get a slot at a local clinic.
