NHS Ayrshire & Arran is bringing forward vaccinations for all residents aged 65 to 79 to the first two weeks of February.

Clinics previously scheduled for the end of this month are being brought forward to take place between Saturday 6 February and Sunday 14 February. This means that if you are aged between 65 and 79 and living in the community in Ayrshire you will be vaccinated more quickly.

Largs Inverclyde National Sports Centre, Millport DA Halls, Skelmorlie Community Centre and West Kilbride Village Hall are all being utilised as vaccination centres. 

The vaccination of Cumbrae residents in groups 1-5 will now be vaccinated in the DA Hall on Saturday 6 February, 11 days earlier than originally scheduled.

Appointment letters are dropping to Ayrshire addresses with the details of when and where to attend for vaccination. Please be aware that you may receive an appointment scheduled for the next day.

An NHS spokesperson said: "We recognise this does not leave a lot of time to reschedule your appointment or plan your journey, so we are asking members of the public to look out for their letter and be aware that to get the vaccine quicker, you may need to be ready to come to your appointment at short notice.

"If you cannot attend your appointment and need to reschedule there will be instructions on your letter on how to do this."

NHS Ayrshire & Arran Chief Executive John Burns said: “Our teams and partners are working round the clock to get as many Ayrshire residents vaccinated as quickly as we can. Vaccinators at our community locations have already welcomed thousands of patients since opening earlier this week and will continue to do so throughout the coming weeks and into Spring.

“I understand that local people are keen to know when their turn to be vaccinated will come and I ask everyone to be patient, wait for their appointment letter and take the opportunity to come forward for vaccine when it is offered.

“Vaccination appointments are an essential reason to leave the house during the current restrictions. Our teams are reporting a real feel-good atmosphere in the mass vaccination centres, where members of the public are rolling up their sleeve to help fight coronavirus by getting their vaccine. My sincere thanks go to everyone involved in the programme, which is the biggest vaccination drive we have ever undertaken.

“Remember though, that it is still incredibly important to continue following the FACTS guidance, even after vaccination. It is the best way to continue protecting our families, friends and communities from the negative impacts of COVID-19.”

Planning is well underway for further cohorts of patients to receive their vaccinations beyond 14 February. Details on future mass vaccination clinics will be published in due course.

Local GP practices continue to support the programme by vaccinating those in the shielding group and housebound patients of all ages. If you fall into one of these categories please expect to be contacted by your GP with details on when to come for your vaccination appointment.