NHS Ayrshire & Arran are currently offering the chance to be vaccinated on a drop-in basis today (Wednesday) at the John Pollock Centre in Ayr until 5.30pm.  

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

You do not need to have a blue letter. 

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

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."