Mass vaccination clinic for flu next week in Stornoway

A mass clinic for flu vaccination will be held in Stornoway next week for individuals aged 50 and over and those who have certain clinical conditions that put them at risk.  

Individuals will receive appointment letters for this clinic, which will be held in the Caberfeidh Hotel on Thursday (November 18). There is no drop-in availability for this specific clinic, though a wide range of both drop-in and appointment-only clinics for both COVID booster and flu will also be available over the coming weeks across our islands. Our current full schedule of clinics is available at the ‘Vaccine Clinic Schedule’ section of our Coronavirus website at Coronavirus (COVID-19) – . (nhs.scot) 

Thursday’s clinic is a flu-only clinic for those individuals who are either not yet eligible for the COVID booster for any reason, and those who have already had their COVID booster but not their flu vaccination. 

We would encourage everyone who receives an appointment to make every effort to attend. If, for any reason, you are unable to attend, please let us know by phoning 0808 196 8383 or emailing wi.covidvax@nhs.scot This will enable us to offer your appointment to somebody else so that clinic time is not wasted. 

NHS Western Isles Director of Public Health, Dr Maggie Watts, said: “Flu is serious and can result in even healthy individuals ending up in hospital.  This winter, our immunity may be lower than usual due to lower levels of the flu virus circulating last year while the crucial public health measures were in place. Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and those around you, and will help prevent the flu virus putting extra strain on NHS Western Isles services this winter.  

“It’s more crucial than ever that as many eligible people as possible get vaccinated against flu. If you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine, you can visit nhsinform.scot or speak to a health or immunisation team, practice nurse, or GP.”  

The flu virus changes every year, so you need to get the vaccine every year to stay protected. The flu vaccine cannot give you flu, but it can stop you catching it. 

For more information about the flu vaccine, visit NHS Inform call 0800 030 8013, or speak to a health or immunisation team, practice nurse, or GP.