Parents and carers urged to make sure children in Ayrshire get flu vaccine
Drop-in sessions are being offered for anyone who may have missed an appointment
Last updated 7th Nov 2023
Parents and carers of pre-school and primary aged children in Ayrshire who have yet to receive their flu vaccine are being urged to make sure they get it.
It comes in a nasal spray, rather than a jag, and can help protect kids as well as vulnerable family members and friends over the winter months.
Invitation appointment letters for 2 to 5-year-old pre-school children were posted from August and primary school aged children have received consent forms for in-school vaccination sessions taking place this autumn around Ayrshire.
But anyone with a child who has missed their appointment or school clinic, or has been given an appointment that’s not suitable, can attend one of the following Childhood Vaccination Team drop-in sessions:
• Saturday 11 November
- North Ayr Health Centre, 9.15am – 12.30pm
• Friday 24 November
- Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine 4pm – 6.30pm
• Saturday 25 November
- Kilbirnie Health Centre, 9.30am – 3pm
- North Ayr Health Centre, 9.15am – 12.30pm
- East Ayrshire Community Hospital, Cumnock, 8.30am – 1.30pm
• Sunday 26 November
- Northwest Area Centre, Kilmarnock, 8.30am – 1.30pm
• Saturday 9 December
- Galleon Centre, Kilmarnock, 8.30am – 1.30pm
• Sunday 10 December
- Cumnock Town Hall, 8.30am – 1.30pm
• Monday 11 December
- Newmilns Clinic, 3.30pm – 7.30pm
• Thursday 14 December
- Dalmellington Community Centre, 3.30pm - 7.30pm
These clinics can only accommodate pre-school children aged 2 to 5 years and primary school aged children, and only after a vaccination session has been held in their school.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Director of Public Health Lynne McNiven said:
“Flu can be serious, even for otherwise healthy children. That’s why all 2 to 5-year-olds and school aged children are being offered the flu vaccine this winter. The flu virus is always changing, so your child needs to get the vaccine every year to make sure they have the best protection.
“The vaccine is a quick, painless, nasal spray, and will just feel like a tickle in their nose. If your child has missed their appointment or you need to reschedule, you can head along to one of the drop-in sessions being run by our Childhood Vaccination Teams.”