Dr Linda Findlay, Medical Director South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “The scale of the programme and the need to observe physical distancing means that clinics need to be held in large community venues. We expect there to be a high demand for this year’s vaccine and would like to thank everyone in advance for their patience with this new way of delivering this important vaccine.”

The eligible groups are:

• 2 to 5 years (not yet in school)
• Everyone aged under 65 at risk
• Everyone aged 65 and over
• People who have been shielding and members of their households
• 55 to 64 years (who are not otherwise eligible, if vaccine supplies allow later in the programme)

If you are eligible for the flu vaccination you will receive an invite with an allocated appointment at a local community vaccination clinic. If this appointment is not suitable, please call the number on your invite to reschedule. Invites will be sent in batches, from mid-September, to make sure that the service can cope with the demand. You may receive your invite on a different date than usual, but you will receive one.

Appointments need to be allocated this year due to the sheer number of people to be vaccinated. There will be no drop-in clinics as we need to manage the number of people at each clinic to ensure physical distancing.

Pregnant women will receive their vaccine from their midwife and primary school children will receive it at school.

Dr Findlay added: “This year, more than ever, it is important that you receive your flu vaccine if you are eligible. Flu is serious and with covid-19 still circulating in the community we all need to play our part to keep ourselves as healthy as possible over the winter months. Receiving the vaccine will help protect you, your loved ones and the NHS.”

For more information on the delivery of the local flu programme, visit www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/flu.

Regular updates will be posted on NHS Lanarkshire’s social media channels – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Please do not contact your GP practice, as they cannot book or reschedule your appointment. Please wait on your invite.