Ayrshire residents aged five-49 with no underlying health conditions who are not yet vaccinated against coronavirus have until the end of the week to come forward.

The rolling offer for these vaccines – two initial doses and a booster – will finish with the conclusion of the current winter vaccine programme on Friday, March 31.

Anyone aged 16 to 49 who is unvaccinated or has not completed their vaccination course for whatever reason can book an appointment through the national vaccination portal.

The can also attend one of the local drop-in clinics. Details are published online.

Parents or carers looking to arrange vaccine appointments for children age 5 to 15 can do so by calling the national helpline on 0800 030 8013.

In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), after 31 March the COVID-19 vaccination primary course offer will be more targeted to protect those at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus.

If someone aged 49 or under enters an ‘at risk’ category for severe coronavirus illness they will be able to access vaccinations as part of the seasonal COVID-19 vaccination programmes running at that time.

Vaccination outside these campaign periods will be subject to individual clinical judgement.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran Director of Public Health Lynne McNiven said: “Vaccination offers the best protection against severe coronavirus illness and the success of the programme since late 2020 has meant many vulnerable people have avoided hospitalisation or experienced milder symptoms when they’ve had COVID-19.

“This rolling offer is finishing at the end of this month and after that our vaccination programme will be targeting groups more at risk from coronavirus, for example older people, pregnant women, those with compromised immune systems and people with underlying health conditions.

"So, if you are 49 years old or younger and you want to get vaccinated, please come forward as soon as you can.”

A further Spring booster will be offered to over 75s, care home residents and immunosuppressed people from March 27 2023.