The Autumn vaccination programme has now commenced.

Lanarkshire health and social care staff (including independent contractors) are now being invited to book an appointment to receive their annual flu vaccination and Covid Booster vaccination (if eligible). Those eligible to receive both can do so at a single appointment.

The Covid-19 booster can only be administered if 6 months (24 weeks) have passed since your last Covid-19 vaccination.  Appointments can be booked online, from Tuesday 21 September via any device.

Heather Knox, chief executive for NHS Lanarkshire, said: “The flu vaccination and Covid-19 booster is important further protection for you, your colleagues and our patients. I would strongly encourage everyone eligible to come forward for their vaccinations.

“Like every other year, all staff are eligible for a free flu vaccination.

“In addition, this year a range of eligible staff will also be able to receive the Covid-19 booster. This includes staff working on the frontline and any staff over 50 years old.

“Non-clinical staff are also eligible if they come into contact with personal belongings, physical tissue or body fluids of patients, residents or clients. This includes domestic staff, porters, catering staff, laundry and receptionists and ward clerks.

Healthcare laboratory and pathology staff are also eligible.”

Those wishing both the flu and Covid-19 booster vaccinations can book a single appointment and receive both vaccines at the same time.

When you attend for your vaccination you will be asked to provide proof of employment. Please remember to bring your ID badge, payslip or wear your uniform on arrival.

The online booking portal can be accessed at the following link: NHS Inform portal.

Staff working in the acute hospitals

Staff working in the acute sites can book an appointment at each of the three acute hospitals. Appointments at these clinics can be booked via the online portal.

The clinics will be running at:

• University Hospital Hairmyres – Medical Records secondary store (beside procurement)
• University Hospital Monklands – Ward 5
• University Hospital Wishaw – Staff Gym, level 0

Staff working in the community

Staff working in the community can book an appointment at one of the 7 clinics being held across the Lanarkshire area.

This also includes:

• NHS independent contractors including GP, dental and optometry practices, community pharmacists and laboratory staff (working on COVID-19 testing) and support staff
• social care workers who regularly deliver direct care and support
• nursery, primary and secondary school teachers and pupil facing support staff in both a local authority and independent setting

Appointments at these clinics can be booked via the online portal.

Frequently asked questions

I work in the acute sector, where will I receive my vaccine?
You can receive your vaccine in one of the acute hospitals at the following locations:

• University Hospital Hairmyres – Medical Records secondary store (beside procurement)
• University Hospital Monklands – Ward 5
• University Hospital Wishaw – staff gym, level 0

I work in the community sector, where will I receive my vaccine?
Staff working in the community can book an appointment at one of the 7 clinics being held across the Lanarkshire area:

• Airdrie Town Hall, Airdrie
• Fernhill Community Centre, Rutherglen
• Braidfute Retail Park, Lanark (with satellite locations TBC)
  St Nicholas Church Hall will be used for the first few weeks until the new site is ready
• Link Community Centre, Cumbernauld
• Ballerup Hall, East Kilbride
• Banqueting Hall, South Lanarkshire Council Headquarters, Hamilton
• Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, Motherwell

What members of staff are eligible for the flu vaccine?

• All NHS Lanarkshire staff are eligible for FLU vaccination.
• NHS independent contractors including GP, dental and optometry practices, community pharmacists and laboratory staff (working on COVID-19 testing) and support staff
• Social care workers who regularly deliver direct care and support
• Nursery, primary and secondary school teachers and pupil facing support staff in both a local authority and independent setting

What members of staff are eligible for the Covid booster vaccine?
Covid Booster Vaccine is available to staff who received their previous two doses, including:

• Frontline Staff (staff who have face-to-face contact and provide physical care or treatment)

• Non-clinical staff who come into contact with the personal belongings, physical tissue or body fluids of patients, residents or clients. (This includes domestic staff, porters, catering, laundry and receptionists or ward clerks).
• Healthcare laboratory and pathology staff – those who frequently handle SARS-CoV-2 or potentially infected items, for example laboratory staff and those that handle items coming to the lab such as porters and lab receptionists.
• Staff Over 50 years old
• Social care staff including:
  • Those working in residential care for adults
  • Those working in children’s residential or social care (including special needs teachers/education)
  • Those working in the community providing care at home (including housing support and personal assistants)

The Covid-19 booster can only be administered if 6 months (24 weeks) have passed since your last Covid-19 vaccination.

I am under 50 but come under one of the other categories, can I receive my Covid-19 booster vaccine?
Yes

If I am eligible to receive both vaccines, will I receive them at the same time?
Yes

What flu vaccine will I receive?
The flu vaccine changes every year and the vaccine components are decided by the World Health Organisation. This year we will be using Flucelvax which is a cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVc). Further information on this vaccine can be found here: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9753/pil

What Covid-19 booster vaccine will I receive? Will I receive the same vaccine that I did previously?
The Pfizer vaccine will be used in NHS Lanarkshire for the booster dose.
Please read the following leaflet before attending for your vaccine: http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/60144-Covid-19%20vaccine%20information%20leaflet%20for%20boosters-Sep2021-English.pdf

How will the vaccines be administered? Will they be injected into the same arm?
If receiving both vaccines at the same time, they will be injected into opposite upper arms.

Is it safe to receive both the flu vaccine and covid-19 booster vaccine at the same time?
Yes

Where can I find information on the safety of the Covid-19 booster vaccine?
The booster vaccine you will receive is exactly the same dose as the previous vaccinations you had. Information on the safety of the Pfizer vaccine can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19/information-for-uk-recipients-on-pfizerbiontech-covid-19-vaccine

How do I make an appointment for the vaccines I am eligible for?
You can make an appointment by visiting – NHS Inform portal.
The following guide will help you in making an appointment – making an appointment.
If you received your previous C19 vaccine from Salus Occupational Health and cannot remember the date of a previous vaccination (you will require this to register), please check your text/SMS messages as you will have been sent a confirmation text at the time of your previous appointment from “Salus”. If you no longer have this information and need assistance in locating the dates of your previous vaccinations, please call the national helpline on0800 030 8013.
For any other queries call the Salus Occupational Health Helpline on 01698 759333

It has been less than 6 months since my last Covid-19 vaccination. Can I still receive the booster?
No, you must wait until 6 months after your last Covid-19 vaccination. If you book before the 6 month period (24 weeks) has elapsed, this will be checked at the appointment and you will be asked to return at a later date.

It has been less than 6 months since my last Covid-19 vaccination. Can I still receive the flu vaccine?
Yes

If I reach 6 months since my last Covid-19 vaccine at a later date, can I book separate appointments for both my flu vaccine and Covid-19 booster?
Yes

If I recently tested positive for Covid-19, how long should I wait before receiving my Covid-19 booster?
Vaccination should be deferred until around four weeks after onset of symptoms or from the first PCR positive specimen in those who are asymptomatic. (PHS Website 16 September 2021)

What proof of employment will I need to bring with me to my vaccination appointment?
NHSL ID Badge, payslip, or uniform are all acceptable. If you have none of these with you, you may be asked to leave and return with ID.