COMMUNITY Venues As Well As Surgeries To Be Used For Flu VaccinationsHEALTH services are putting special arrangements in place to make sure flu vaccinations can be given in socially-distanced locations.
Those over 65 will be invited by letter to attend a community venue rather than their GP surgery.
The locations will be Gamble Halls, Gourock; Kilmacolm Community Centre; Port Glasgow Town Hall and Greenock Town Hall.
Most under-65s who are in an at-risk category will be invited to go to their GP surgery although some people may be invited to attend a community venue
Flu vaccinations will begin in community venues from 28 September.
This year, adults aged 55 to 64 will also be entitled to a vaccination. However, these won’t start until November or December.
Councillor Robert Moran, convener of Inverclyde Council’s Health and Social Care Committee, said: “Covid 19 has had a massive impact here in Inverclyde but we mustn’t forget that the normal flu strain can be a killer too. The last thing we want is for older and vulnerable people to face a double whammy.
“There isn’t a vaccine for Covid 19 yet but people can make sure that they are protected from flu. Having said that we are asking people not to contact their GP’s surgery about a flu vaccine unless they are specifically asked to do so.”
He added: “Flu can be unpleasant but if you’re otherwise healthy it will usually clear up on its own after a week. But it can be much more severe in people who are
over 65, pregnant, already have lung or breathing problems or who have a weak immune system.”
Flu vaccinations are available on the NHS to help protect adults and children who are at risk of flu and its possible complications.
The flu vaccine is routinely available on the NHS to:
— Adults who are 65 and over
— People with certain medical conditions
— Pregnant women
— Children aged two and three years old on 31 August 2020
— Children in primary school
— Frontline health or social care workers.
