NHS Ayrshire & Arran will be offering the chance to be vaccinated on a drop-in basis in Troon and Cumnock in the coming days.  

The drop-in clinics will be available for anyone over 18 years living in Ayrshire who is yet to have a first dose.

Those aged 16 or 17 years who are unpaid carers or living with someone who is shielding can also attend:

· Walker Hall, Troon – Sunday June 6, 8.30am – 6pm

· Cumnock Town Hall – Monday June 7, 8.30am – 6pm

Previous drop-in clinics have been very well-attended, and so those attending should be prepared to wait.

The COVID-19 vaccine offers the best protection against the coronavirus and NHS Ayrshire and Arran wants to see as many people as possible come forward for vaccination when they are invited.

Against the backdrop of rising numbers of local cases and the presence of variants that are likely to be more transmissible, the drop-in clinics are an opportunity to increase the number of people being vaccinated, who may not have taken up the invitation yet for whatever reason.

The health board continues to vaccinate at locations around Ayrshire by appointment and according to the prioritisation set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and communicated nationally.

Director of Public Health Lynne McNiven said: "Getting vaccinated is likely to be the most important thing you do this year. Our teams and partners are working incredibly hard to deliver the vaccine to communities around Ayrshire to offer people the best protection we can against COVID-19.

“Drop-in clinics are just one thread of the blended approach we have to our vaccination programme. I’d encourage anyone – particularly anyone over 40 who has not yet had their first dose of the vaccine – to take this opportunity to be vaccinated.

“Remember that we cannot predict turnout at drop-in clinics, so on the day, it could be that you need to wait to be seen by one of our vaccinators. Please keep an eye on our social media updates where you may get more information about the length of wait and any other important information. And remember to bring water and wear sunscreen if the sun is shining."

She added: “I want to say thank you to every single person who has come forward for vaccine in Ayrshire since the programme began. Every jag is one step closer to getting back to something more like normal, for all of us.”

Blue appointment letters for the under 40s in Ayrshire will continue to drop throughout the month of June. Remember you can reschedule your appointment if it is not suitable by following the instructions in your letter.

If you are over 40 and cannot attend a drop-in clinic but do want to be vaccinated, please call the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013 to arrange an appointment at one of our local clinics.