Why it’s important to get your COVID-19 vaccine
Coronavirus can be serious, especially for those in an at risk category (please visit NHS Inform for further details).
Getting the COVID-19 vaccinations you are eligible for offers the best protection for yourself, and may help to protect your family and those you care for.
NHS Scotland strongly recommends you get the vaccines offered to you.
Spring COVID-19 Booster Programme
Don’t let your protection fade this spring.
NHS Scotland recommends you have a spring dose of the COVID-19 vaccine this year if you:
- are aged 75 years and over on 30 June 2024 (i.e. on or before 30 June 1949)
- live in a care home for older adults
- are aged 6 months or over (by or on 31 March 2024) and have a weakened immune system
It’s important to keep up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines as your level of protection may have faded since your last dose. Getting the vaccine this spring will top up your protection and help prevent you from getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent information via letter, text or email about your appointment or how to book one. Please wait to be contacted. You’ll be able to book or rearrange an appointment online or by calling 0800 030 8013. If you need to book or reschedule an appointment for your child who is aged 11 or under, please call 0800 030 8013. It’s not possible to use the online booking portal for this age group.
Step-by-step video guides are available to help with booking and rescheduling appointments, as well as updating your communications preference and retrieving your booking information. These can be located at www.nhsinform.scot/springvaccine.
This programme with run until 30 June 2024.
For further information visit www.nhsinform.scot/springvaccine
Information is also available in other languages and formats at www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccineleaflets.
Newly at risk from coronavirus?
From 1 July 2023 those aged 5 to 49 years are no longer eligible for any coronavirus vaccines, unless you develop a condition that puts you at greater risk of coronavirus illness, including pregnancy. If you enter an at risk group, you can book an appointment online or phone the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013. To arrange an appointment for a child age 5 – 11 years who has entered an at risk category please call 01563 826540 to arrange.
COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women in Ayrshire
If you are currently pregnant you are eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations because pregnancy is regarded as a category that puts you at greater risk from coronavirus illness. The vaccines are strongly recommended in pregnancy as they are the best way to help protect you and your baby from the known risks of the viruses.
Please click the link for further information regarding vaccines in pregnancy: https://www.nhsinform.scot/vaccinesinpregnancy
Choosing how you’d like to be contacted
You can now update your contact details and your preferred method of contact on the online portal. If you select to receive future correspondence about your COVID-19 and flu vaccines by email or SMS then you will no longer receive future letters with this information.
Attending your COVID-19 vaccination appointment
Travelling to your appointment
By public transport: Use the Traveline Scotland website to plan your journey and to get advice on using public transport safely. Click here to visit the Traveline Scotland website.
Alternatively you can contact Traveline by phone. Vaccination Related Public Transport Enquiries number (staffed 24 hours, 7 days per week) is 0141 465 1878.
If you have a specific transport issue in relation to getting to your COVID-19 vaccination you can also call 01563 826540 for advice.
Interpretation services
For those whose first or preferred language is not English, it is the responsibility of NHS Ayrshire & Arran staff to provide interpretation support for individuals attending for vaccination. Interpretation support is available for those who speak community languages or those who are deaf and use British Sign Language (BSL).
Spoken community languages: Language interpretation support for spoken community languages can be provided via Language Line telephone interpreting services. When an individual attends the vaccination clinic they can request support via Language Line and the member of staff will arrange this.
British Sign Language (BSL): In order for a BSL interpreter to attend with an individual at the vaccination centres, contact should be made in advance to request an interpreter to attend. The contact number for this is 0333 344 7712 and staff will arrange this with our service provider Sign Language Interactions in advance of attending.
Rescheduling your COVID-19 vaccination appointment
Appointments are generally allocated at the vaccination centre that is closest to your home postcode.
If you have received your appointment letter but the date, time or location of your appointment is unsuitable you should rearrange your appointment.
You can rearrange your appointment online or by calling the COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013 available Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm and 9am – 1pm on Saturday.
Recently changed address?
Please update your address details with your GP practice – this will help to ensure your scheduled appointment for vaccination reaches you at the correct location. If you have missed your vaccination appointment because of this you can reschedule online or by calling the COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.
Vaccinations for housebound patients
For those eligible citizens who are housebound, the mass vaccination service will contact you to arrange a home visit.