Ayrshire residents aged 65 and over will be first in line for a winter booster jab starting this month.
Letters are landing on doormats across the region this week for scheduled appointments, for Covid boosters and flu vaccinations, which will protect the most vulnerable from coronavirus and ease the pressure on hospitals.
The booster jabs will be given at the same time as the flu vaccine to those eligible where possible in order to deliver maximum protection over the winter months.
Frontline health and social care workers are also eligible for the winter booster jab, with vaccination teams delivering these to hospital-based staff and care home workers at their place of work.
Others are being invited to book an appointment at a local mass vaccination centre by using the online portal.
Appointments for all other priority groups will be made available as the programme progresses, with people asked to wait until they are contacted or called forward.
Lynne McNiven, NHS Ayrshire & Arran director of public health, said: “Covid-19 vaccine immunity reduces and the flu virus changes over time, so it’s important those eligible top up their protection by getting vaccinated this winter.
“I’d encourage those who receive an appointment letter through the post to attend. If you’re unable to attend, please cancel or reschedule so we can offer the appointment to someone else.”
The following groups will be offered an additional Covid booster in autumn:
• Residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
• Frontline health and social care workers
• All adults aged 50 years and over
• Those aged five to 49 years old in a clinical risk group, including those who are pregnant
• Those aged five to 49 years old who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• Carers aged between 16 and 49
Those eligible should wait until they are contacted or called forward, and again, where possible, the autumn/winter Covid booster will be given at the same time as the flu vaccine.
For more info regarding the winter vaccines, visit www.nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines or contact the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013.
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