A series of drop-in vaccination clinics have been scheduled at clinics across Fife to enable those requiring COVID-19 boosters and flu jabs to get vaccinated without the need for an appointment.
All adults in Fife aged 40 and over are now eligible to receive a free COVID-19 booster and flu jab, with people aged 60 and over receiving a blue envelope inviting them to attend a pre-booked appointment at a scheduled time and place.
Those aged between 40 and 59 years old are not being sent a blue invitation letter and have been asked to book an appointment online using the new national booking portal. While this option remains available, those aged 40 to 59 years old will also have the option of attending a series of new drop-in clinics specifically intended for those requiring COVID-19 boosters and flu jabs.
COVID booster drop-in clinics have been scheduled for the following venues and times:-
- Kingsgate Shopping Centre, Dunfermline (Former DW Sports) - 30 November to 03 December 2021 (5-8pm)
- Lochgelly Centre – 01 to 03 December 2021 (5-8pm)
- Kirkcaldy High Street Clinic (Former M&S store) - 02 and 03 December (5-8pm)
- Kingdom Centre, Glenrothes (Former Argos store) – 02 and 03 December 2021 (5-8pm)
- The Studio, Methil – 01 to 03 December 2021 (5pm-8pm)
- St Andrews Community Hospital - 30 Nov (8am to 8pm) 02 Dec (8am - 7am).
All adults aged 40 or over, those aged 16 to 39 with underlying health conditions at higher risk of severe COVID-19, adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals, unpaid carers, and all frontline health and social care workers are all now eligible for a free COVID-19 booster and flu jab.
Both the flu jab and the COVID booster can be safely given at the same time. If you are receiving both vaccinations then a 22-week gap is required between your second and booster dose of the COVID vaccine, however, those requiring only the COVID booster must wait 24 weeks between doses. To calculate the time from your second dose, a handy calculator is available on the NHS Fife website at: www.nhsfife.org/booster or by using the NHS Scotland COVID Status smartphone app.
NHS Fife’s Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Esther Curnock, said:
“With increasing levels of social mixing over the winter months, we expect that COVID-19 will continue to circulate alongside other seasonal respiratory viruses such as flu. This makes it is more important than ever to get vaccinated.
“We want as many people as possible who are eligible to take up the offer of a COVID booster and flu jab and there is an opportunity over the coming weeks for us to offer drop-in clinics at six venues across Fife, with no appointment necessary.
“The COVID booster and flu jab not only help to reduce your chances of becoming seriously unwell, and in some cases dying, they also make it less likely that you will pass these viruses onto vulnerable friends and loved ones.”
The booster drop-in clinics are also open to anyone aged 12 and over requiring first and second dose appointments.
For those who would prefer to pre-book an appointment, slots are available across Fife up to and including 19th December, with many appointments available in early morning, evenings and at the weekends to ensure ease of access for all. A link to the booking portal is also available at www.nhsfife.org/booster.
