Plansfor flujabs andCovid boosters

NHS Lanarkshire has set out its plans before the start of the Covid-19 booster and flu vaccination programmes.

Dr Mark Russell, lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Lanarkshire, said: “To allow us to deliver these vaccinations together we are waiting on further guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

“There will be people who are eligible for both vaccines and some who are eligible for only one and we want to make it as convenient as possible.

“We plan to offer those who are eligible for both vaccines one appointment. In order for us to do this we need the JCVI guidance, which is expected in mid-September.”

If the guidance is received when expected, the health board will rollout the Covid booster and flu vaccine to care home residents and patientfacing staff from September 20.

The wider community vaccination programme will follow from September 27.

Both vaccines will be delivered at local centres which will be fully up and running from this Saturday.

These are Airdrie Town Hall; Fernhill Community Centre, Rutherglen; Braidfute Retail Park, Lanark, (with satellite clinics at Abington, Biggar and Stonehouse) and St Nicholas Church hall will be used until the new site is ready; Link Community Centre, Cumbernauld; Ballerup hall, East Kilbride; Banqueting hall, South Lanarkshire Council HQ, Hamilton; Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, Motherwell.

Drop-in clinics for the Covid jab will run at the weekends in the new vaccination centres.