DROP-IN vaccination clinics are now underway for the flu and COVID vaccination programme this winter.
This means that everyone aged 12 and above who is in an eligible group can simply attend on the day – without having to make an appointment.
Director of Public Health Valerie White said: “We’re really glad that we’re now able to offer drop-in vaccination clinics for flu and COVID in Dumfries and Galloway.
“This should make it easier for someone who’s entitled to get a vaccination but hasn’t yet done so to come forward.”
Vaccination clinics are taking place throughout the region over coming weeks – being promoted online, and via the website www.nhsdg.co.uk/vaccines
Vaccines are being provided to all those eligible as long as they are aged 12 or above.
For under 12s – all those eligible have been appointed. If someone under 12 who is eligible was unable to attend, or missed their appointment, they should call the local helpline 01387 403090 to reschedule.
Meanwhile, Ms White notes that there may be people wondering why they should take up the opportunity, perhaps already having experienced COVID.
She said: “COVID and flu are similar, in that they’re both respiratory viruses, they both pose a risk to health, and they both continue to evolve.
“Just like people who might be vulnerable get a flu vaccination, we’d ask people to get the latest vaccination against COVID.
“You may have already had the virus, but there’s no way of knowing how your body will react the next time, to a new variant.
“That’s why it’s important to get vaccinated, to train your body to fight the latest versions of the virus, to help cut down spread, and to help alleviate pressures on the region’s health and social care system.”
The new drop-in vaccination clinics are for all those aged 12 and above who are in eligible groups.
Eligible groups for flu and coronavirus vaccination:
* Residents and staff in care homes for older adults
* People aged 65 and over
* Those aged 6 months and over with a condition that places them at higher risk
* Pregnant women
* Frontline healthcare workers
* Frontline social care workers
* Carers (including unpaid and young carers aged 16 and over)
* Those aged 12 or over who are a household contact of someone with a weakened immune system
Eligible groups for flu vaccination:
* Children aged 6 months to 2 years at higher risk of flu
* Children aged 2 to 5 (and not yet in school) on 1 September 2023
* All primary school pupils
* All secondary school pupils
* People aged 18 to 64 with an eligible condition
* People aged 50 and over
* Nursery, primary and secondary school teachers and pupil-facing support staff
* Prison population, prison officers and support staff who deliver direct front-facing detention services
* Non-frontline NHS healthcare workers
Anyone with questions about eligibility should contact the local helpline by calling 01387 403090.
Upcoming drop-in vaccination clinics are as follows:
Thursday, 23/11/2023
– Castle Douglas Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre, Dumfries: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Waverley Medical Centre, Stranraer: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
Friday, 24/11/2023
– Dalbeattie Town Hall: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:30
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre, Dumfries: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Glenluce Village Hall: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:30
– Thornhill Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
Saturday, 25/11/2023
– Castle Douglas Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Moffat Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre, Dumfries: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Waverley Medical Centre, Stranraer: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
Sunday, 26/11/2023
– Annan Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Kirkcudbright Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre, Dumfries: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Newton Stewart Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Sanquhar Community Hall: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
Monday, 27/11/2023
– Annan Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Canonbie Public Hall: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre, Dumfries: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
Tuesday, 28/11/2023
– Annan Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Kirkcudbright Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Moffat Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Thornhill Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Waverley Medical Centre, Stranraer: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
Wednesday, 29/11/2023
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre, Dumfries: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Newton Stewart Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Sanquhar Community Hall: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
Thursday, 30/11/2023
– Castle Douglas Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre, Dumfries: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Waverley Medical Centre, Stranraer: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
Friday, 01/12/2023
– Annan Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Castle Douglas Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Newton Stewart Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
Saturday, 02/12/2023
– Castle Douglas Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Moffat Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre, Dumfries: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Waverley Medical Centre, Stranraer: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
Sunday, 03/12/2023
– Annan Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Kirkcudbright Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre, Dumfries: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Newton Stewart Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Sanquhar Community Hall: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
Monday, 04/12/2023
– Annan Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Canonbie Public Hall: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Castle Douglas Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre, Dumfries: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– New Abbey Village Hall: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
Tuesday, 05/12/2023
– Kirkcudbright Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre, Dumfries: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Thornhill Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Waverley Medical Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
Wednesday, 06/12/2023
– Annan Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Kirkcudbright Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Newton Stewart Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Sanquhar Community Hall: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
Thursday, 07/12/2023
– Castle Douglas Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre, Dumfries: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Waverley Medical Centre, Stranraer: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
Friday, 08/12/2023
– Canonbie Public Hall: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Castle Douglas Vaccination Centre: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Mountainhall Vaccination Centre, Dumfries: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-16:15
– Newton Stewart Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00
– Thornhill Cottage Hospital: 09:30-12:15, 13:30-15:00