East Lothian to use schools as flu vaccination centres

THOUSANDS of flu jabs will this year be delivered in schools as well as GP centres in East Lothian as health chiefs split the rollout.

A flu vaccination being administered

East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership was due to take over administering annual vaccines this year but, after lockdown delayed plans, is now splitting the work with GP partners.

And it is using secondary schools as venues for some of the clinics as it prepares for increased demand.

Krista Clubb, team manager of Community Treatment and Care Services (CTACS) in the county, said the first two clinics were held at East Lothian Community Hospital in Haddington and North Berwick High School at the weekend, with about 1,500 people vaccinated.

And there are plans for a further two clinics at Preston Lodge High School in Prestonpans and Dunbar Grammar School this weekend.

Krista said: “The first two clinics went very well, with people who attended very positive.

“We are doing everything to make the clinics as safe as possible with social distancing and we are all wearing PPE.”

GP practices are still overseeing vaccinations for the over-65s and children; however, the health and social care partnership is delivering vaccines for adults under 65 who are in the high risk category.

And the CTAC team has been seeing more people getting in touch who want the vaccine this year amid concern about coronavirus.

Last year, 16,776 people over the age of 65 were vaccinated in East Lothian and 6,161 people considered to be at risk because of underlying issues, such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease, were also given the jab.

Health chiefs are still waiting for confirmation about whether flu vaccines will be extended to over-55s but they insist that there is no sign of any shortage of vaccines for East Lothian residents.

And they are appealing to all health and social care workers to get in touch as they extend the vaccines to additional care staff this year.

Krista said: “We have had no issue with supply and vaccines are available. If anyone thinks they might be eligible but has not been contacted they can go on the NHS Inform website nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/vaccines/flu-vaccine for more information.

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