Patients across Ayrshire aged 65 to 79 will be invited to come for their COVID-19 vaccine in February as part of the Ayrshire & Arrans local mass vaccination programme.
Direction signs in place all over Ayrshire
There will be 38 different community locations where these vaccines will be administered, across East, North and South Ayrshire.
Letters giving details on the time and location of appointments began to drop from Monday 25 January.
The local health board advise that you should not be alarmed if you do not get your letter immediately. These will be arriving to Ayrshire addresses over the course of the coming weeks.
The first appointments will take place on Monday 1 February at the Galleon Centre in Kilmarnock, the Greenwood Centre in Dreghorn and at the Citadel in Ayr.
The following is a list of all Ayrshire mass vaccination centres.
East Ayrshire locations
Auchinleck Boswell Centre
Catrine Games Hall
Cumnock Town Hall
Dalmellington Community Centre
Darvel Gavin Hamilton Sports Centre
Drongan Community Centre
Galleon Centre Kilmarnock
Galston Community Centre
Hurlford Community Centre
Kilmarnock Shortlees Community Centre
Logan Community Centre
Mauchline Centre Stanes
Muirkirk Community Hub
New Cumnock Town Hall
North West Area Centre Kilmarnock
Patna Primary School
Stewarton Area Centre
North Ayrshire locations
Ardrossan Civic Centre
Beith Community Centre
Dalry Primary School
Dreghorn Greenwood Centre
Irvine Castlepark Community Centre
Kilbirnie Bridgend Community Centre
Kilwinning Academy
Largs Inverclyde National Sports Centre
Millport DA Halls
Saltcoats Argyle Centre
Skelmorlie Community Centre
Stevenston Ardeer Centre
West Kilbride Village Hall
Please note: Arran will manage the vaccination programme on the Island. Vaccinations will be delivered at the Arran High School.
South Ayrshire locations
Ayr Citadel
Ayr Whitletts Activity Centre
Ballantrae Community Centre
Carrick Activity Centre, Dailly
Girvan Community Hospital
Maybole Town Hall
Prestwick Community Centre
Troon Muirhead Activity Centre
The appointments are being allocated throughout the month of February at the vaccination centre closest to your home postcode. Details on how to reschedule your appointment if you are unable to attend will be given on your letter. Appointments may be Monday to Sunday between the times of 8am and 8pm. Please remember the following when you attend for your appointment:
• You must bring your appointment letter itself to be admitted to the vaccination centre.
• Arrive as close to your appointment time as possible.
• Wear a face covering while travelling to and from and during your appointment, and remember to wash your hands regularly.
• Do not attend if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. If you develop symptoms you shouldself-isolate and only reschedule after the self-isolation period.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran say that Local GP practices are continuing to support the programme by administering vaccines to those in the clinically extremely vulnerable (shielding) category and housebound patients during this wave of vaccinations. Patients in these groups should expect to be contacted by their GP practice directly with details on when in the coming weeks they will be offered their vaccination appointment.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Chief Executive John Burns said:
”Our teams have been working round the clock to pull together all the elements of this programme which is the biggest vaccination effort the country has ever seen. The vaccine offers protection against COVID-19 and I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to be vaccinated when offered.
“Remember though we must still continue following theFACTS guidance to help protect our communities from the spread of the virus - even after vaccination. I want to thank everyone for their continued support and patience as we do our best to protect those most vulnerable from the negative impact of coronavirus.”
Delivery of the COVID vaccination across Ayrshire and Arranis aligned to the prioritisation schedule outlined by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), and communicated by the Scottish Government.
The mass vaccination programme will continue throughout the Spring and further into 2021.
Those given their first dose will be invited to have their second dose within the 12 week schedule set out nationally.
Plans for the next cohorts to be vaccinated include those in the at risk category with underlying health issues under the age of 65 (that would normally be offered the seasonal flu vaccine) and then everyone over the age of 50. Information on when and where these vaccinations will take place will be communicated in due course.