Eligible patients across Ayrshire are being invited to attend community clinics for their seasonal flu vaccination.
Flu vaccines help protect those most at risk from serious illness and hospitalisation. As flu viruses change every year, getting vaccinated annually remains the best way to stay protected during the winter months. Winter viruses can cause severe illness, especially for those most at risk, including older people, those with weakened immune systems and pregnant women.
Community clinic appointments began on 14 September, with an initial focus on flu vaccinations. From mid-October, patients invited for both COVID-19 and flu vaccination will receive both their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. Housebound patients and care home residents will continue to receive vaccinations in their usual setting.
NHS letters with appointment details are being sent out, unless patients have indicated a digital preference to be contacted by SMS or email.
Parents and carers are also reminded to return their child’s flu immunisation consent form to their school as soon as possible if they have not already done so.
Lisa Davidson, Assistant Director of Public Health for NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said:
“Our winter vaccination programme is now underway, and we look forward to welcoming patients to clinics across Ayrshire.
“Some people are eligible for flu only, while others are invited for both seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations (after 12 October). If you are offered one or both of these vaccines I’d urge you to take up the offer when it comes, as getting your vaccines is the best way to protect yourself.
“Patients should attend the appointment at the time and location allocated, unless this is unsuitable for some reason, in which case you can rearrange by following the instructions on your letter. We look forward to welcoming eligible citizens in back to our winter vaccination clinics over the coming weeks and months and I thank all our staff involved for their hard work in delivering the programme for 2026.”
Further information, including eligibility details, is available on Winter vaccines | NHS inform website.
Additional Information:
You’ll be offered flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines this winter if you’re:
- living in a care home for older adults
- aged 75 and over
- aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system
You’ll be offered the flu vaccine if you’re:
- aged 65 and over
- living in a long-stay residential care home or other long stay care facility
- aged 18 to 64 with an eligible health condition
- pregnant
- living with someone who has a weakened immune system
- an unpaid or young carer
- a health care worker or patient facing social care worker
- a poultry worker or bird handler
- a cattle or swine worker
- an asylum seeker living in a home office hotel or B&B accommodation
- experiencing homelessness or substance misuse
- living in a Scottish prison
Read more about the winter vaccination programme in Ayrshire.
Read more about the child flu vaccine, including who is eligible.