This year people most at risk of serious illness from COVID-19 are being invited to come forward for a vaccine, which will be given along with their seasonal flu shot at the same appointment.
Patients being offered both vaccines include adults aged 75 years and older, residents in care homes for older adults and people aged six months and older who are immunosuppressed.
In Ayrshire, letters with appointment details for those being invited to our community-based mass vaccination clinics are already landing on doorsteps for those eligible. Please look out for your appointment details by post, text or email, and come along when invited to do so. The timings of the dual COVID and flu offer mean that the most vulnerable members of our population will have the best protection against these viruses as we go into the colder winter months.
Our expert vaccination teams will also be visiting residential care homes for older adults to offer residents their winter vaccines from mid October.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Assistant Director of Public Health Lisa Davidson said:
“Our teams have already welcomed thousands of people for their seasonal flu vaccinations, with the first vaccines given to Ayrshire patients on 15 September. Some people, particularly our older patients, are also being offered a COVID vaccination again this winter and in the coming weeks our clinics will start to deliver both of those vaccines to eligible people at the same appointment.
“If you’re 75 years old or older, or are immunosuppressed, it is important you get both vaccines. The COVID vaccine offers strong protection against severe illness –so we urge those most vulnerable to keep it topped up each spring and winter. Both the COVID and flu viruses are constantly changing and so immunity may wane. The vaccines offered this year will give those eligible the best possible protection against the viruses likely to be circulating this winter.
“We understand that the groups being offered the COVID and flu vaccines have changed over the last few years. As we have moved beyond the pandemic period, the focus for the winter vaccine programme is those most vulnerable to hospitalisation from these viruses. If you are invited it is for a reason, so please come forward for your vaccines.”
ENDS
BACKGROUND
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