Local drop-in vaccination clinics across Forth Valley have been extended to additional eligible groups to encourage people to boost their protection against Covid-19 and flu this winter.

Anyone aged 65 or over and those aged 5-64 years at clinical risk who have received an invitation but have missed their appointment and unpaid carers and household contacts of immunosuppressed can now attend local drop-in clinics from:

Wednesday 23^rd November until Sunday 4^th December 2022 (8.30am – 6.30pm) at:

• Falkirk Community Hospital
• Stirling Health & Care Village
• Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre.

Health and social care staff as well as care home staff who did not receive their vaccination at work can also attend local vaccination centres on a drop-in basis without an appointment.

In addition, a number of local pharmacies in Forth Valley are also offering appointments for flu and Covid-19 booster vaccinations to eligible groups – visit www.nhsforthvalley.com/covidvaccine for further information or check with your local pharmacy.

Those aged 50 – 64 and pregnant women are asked not to attend drop-in clinics at this stage and should continue to book their vaccination appointment online at www.nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines or by calling the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013.

Drop-in flu vaccination clinics for children aged 2 to 5 years (born on or before 1 September 2020 and not yet at school) who haven’t had their flu vaccine, are running every day throughout November, including weekends, at the following locations from 8:30am and 7.00pm at:

• Falkirk Community Hospital
• Stirling Health & Care Village
• Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre

Anyone who has any difficulty booking or attending an appointment can call NHS Forth Valley’s local vaccination team for advice on 0800 130 3120 during normal office hours.

Dr Graham Foster, NHS Forth Valley’s Director of Public Health, said: “Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others against Covid-19 and flu this winter.

“However, we know that protection fades over time, so even if you have been vaccinated before it is really important to get the latest Covid-19 booster to top up your protection against both the original and newer Omicron strains.

“I’d encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible and to get in touch with our local vaccination team if they have any difficulties arranging or attending an appointment.”