People in Ayrshire at a higher risk of catching Covid or flu are being invited forward for their winter vaccines.
Appointment letters for those aged five years and over, at “higher risk,” will be sent out by NHS Ayrshire & Arran by post over the next five weeks.
Among those invited forward are people with certain underlying health conditions such as chronic respiratory, liver, kidney, heart or neurological disease, diabetes or those with a severely weakened immune system.
This autumn, those most at risk are being invited first to be vaccinated, to protect themselves and help relieve pressure on the NHS.
Clinically “at risk” patients living in Ayrshire will start to receive blue envelopes with details on their appointments from this week.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran assistant director of public health, Lisa Davidson, said: “We strongly recommend those who are more vulnerable to serious complications from Covid and flu get the vaccines.
“Both Covid-19 and flu can be serious even if you are healthy.
“Protection fades over time, so it’s important to restore it by having the vaccines when offered them.
“If you are unable to make the appointment time, please follow the instructions on your letter to rearrange it.”
Appointment letters will include information about how carers aged 16 and over and people aged five and over who live with someone with a weakened immune system can book an appointment.
If you have a condition and do not receive an appointment letter, you can check whether you are eligible and book an appointment at nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines.
Appointments for children under 16 must be booked by calling 0800 030 8013.
All Ayrshire residents aged 65 or over should have received a scheduled appointment for Covid-19 and flu vaccinations by now.
If you have not yet received this you can book an appointment at nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines.
Those who are pregnant are also eligible and should speak to their midwife if they do not yet have an appointment.
If you are aged 50 to 64 with no additional risk factors, are being advised to wait to be contacted about their winter vaccination appointment.
Eligible patients who are housebound will not receive a blue envelope appointment letter.
Instead, they’ll be contacted directly by the Mass Vaccination Team and arrangements will be made for a home visit.
If you are housebound and have not heard by the beginning of November, contact the national helpline on 0800 030 8013.
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