Covid boosters continue
More than 66,000 Covid booster jabs have been delivered throughout NHS Ayrshire & Arran since September – as the health board continue to administer third doses and seasonal flu vaccines at the same time.
Residents aged 60 to 69 are now receiving vaccination invitations through the post as the rollout to eligible people continues.
Appointments for this group will take place at community venues across the region and will run into early December.
The next cohort to receive their appointment letters will be adults aged 16 and over with underlying health conditions.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran director of public health, Lynne McNiven, encouraged people to take up vaccinations when offered.
She said:“Flu can be extremely serious and is very infectious. With Covid-19 still circulating in the community, we can best protect those most at risk as well as ease pressure on our National Health Service and social care services by encouraging everyone eligible to get vaccinated against flu and boost their immunity to coronavirus.
“Appointments for both vaccines are being scheduled based on clinical need and age and it will take into the middle of January for everyone to be offered their vaccines.
“Boosters will be offered to many of the groups who routinely have the flu vaccine to protect people from both illnesses.
“To support this, we are ensuring those most vulnerable are vaccinated first.
“Everyone who is eligible will be offered a vaccination.
“If you haven’t received your appointment letter yet, please be patient.
“You do not have to do anything now - you will be contacted, notifying you of your appointment.”
Other JCVI priority groups eligible for the important vaccinations include the following: people aged 50 to 59, unpaid carers and household contacts of immunosuppressed.
If you are in one of these groups you will soon be invited to self-appoint for your vaccines by using the national booking portal online.
You can also arrange to have your seasonal flu vaccine at a participating community pharmacy in Ayrshire.
Visit https://www.nhsaaa.net/flu/ for more details.