Seasonal Flu Vaccine

Drop-in clinics for Renfrewshire residents over 65 years of age

Next week, from Monday 26 October 2020 until Friday 30 October 2020, between 10am - 3.30pm, we are inviting any Renfrewshire resident, aged over 65, who has yet to receive their flu vaccination, to attend our drop-in clinic at St Mirren Flu Centre.

The week was held for rescheduled appointments, however the Centre has been so well attended, that we now have more capacity to safely welcome residents to receive their vaccine.

For people in the over 65 group, who have yet to receive their letter, you can also attend the drop-in.The final letters for scheduled appointments will be issued by Friday 30 October.

Residents can either drop in any day between Monday - Friday, 10am - 3.30pm to receive their vaccine, or wait for their scheduled appointment in November.

If you have received a letter please bring it along as this will help us find your details on the system more quickly.

The drop-in clinic will run for one week only - Monday 26 October till Friday 30 October - between 10am - 3.30pm.

November will be reserved for scheduled appointments only.

Protect yourself:

Every year in Scotland, thousands of people are hospitalised with flu. It can be serious and life threatening, so getting vaccinated is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself. You have to be immunised every year because the flu virus changes each year and your immunity reduces over time.

Protect others:

Reduce your risk of getting flu and spreading it to others, especially those who are most at risk.

Protect our NHS:

Help our NHS avoid the pressure that a spike in seasonal flu would put on top of COVID-19.

How do I get the vaccine in Renfrewshire?

Due to COVID-19, the way you get your flu vaccination may be different this year.  For more information please visit www.nhsinform.scot/flu.

If you are eligible for a flu vaccination, you should receive a letter with instructions on how to receive it. Otherwise, check NHS Inform for instructions. If you receive a letter, please follow the instructions and turn up in good time.

• People aged 18 - 64 who are in the "at risk" group, will be offered the vaccine at their local GP surgery.
• Women who are pregnant will be vaccinated by the midwife service.
• Children under five years will be invited to a clinic appointment and school age children will be offered the flu vaccine at school.  
• Those no longer at school but not yet 18 will be invited to make an appointment.
• Later in the year, those between 55-64  will also be offered the vaccine - further details to follow. If you are in one of the other groups which is eligible for the flu vaccine, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, you will be invited earlier.

For people in Renfrewshire aged 65 and over, we have arranged a single, easy to access vaccination facility at St Mirren Park. This will allow us to make sure the strictest infection prevention and social distancing control measures will be in place during the vaccination process.

We appreciate this might cause a little inconvenience for some people this year, but we believe it is worth it to make the process as safe as possible while COVID-19 is still with us.

People who are registered with their GP as housebound will be able to receive the vaccine at home. Our team will be in touch over the coming weeks. Household contacts who are eligible to receive it, can also get the vaccine at the time if they are present during our visit.

Flu is serious. Take action.

Preparing for your vaccine appointment

To avoid crowding only attend at the time of your appointment. Come on your own if you can, unless you need assistance. Wear a short-sleeved top if possible as this will make it easier to deliver the vaccination. Please also remember to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing from other people.

The clinic will only be providing flu vaccine, so if you, or anyone in your household have symptoms, have been asked to self-isolate or have tested positive for COVID-19, do not attend for your appointment. In this case you should continue to self-isolate, book a test if you have not already done so and call 0141 201 4180 to rearrange your flu vaccination appointment for a later date.   

If you have any other health concerns, please contact your GP practice.

What should I do if I cannot make the appointment I have been given or I have missed my appointment?

Please call us on 0141 201 4180 to let us know and to rearrange for a more suitable date, you can now e-mail the team too. To do so, please email adult.flu@ggc.scot.nhs.uk with the following information:

• Contact telephone number (preferably mobile number so that we can send your appointment details to this number)
• CHI number (you will find this on your appointment letter)
• Date of birth
• Forename
• Surname
• Date and venue of original appointment

We are currently experiencing high call volumes to our adult flu telephone line. Staff are working hard to answer all calls and will respond to all emails and an alternative appointment will be offered if requested.

Why do I need to travel to get my vaccination this year?

With COVID-19 still with us and cases on the increase, it is vital that people's safety is our highest priority. The facility we have created at St Mirren Park will enable us to manage the increased number of people we need to vaccinate this year, while giving us more ability to safely control the flow of people through the vaccination process. It allows us to have trained staff available to guide people as they arrive on site and make sure everyone maintains safe distancing from other people during their visit.

I need to use public transport to attend my vaccination appointment, but because of COVID and current restrictions in my area, is this appointment classed as an essential journey?

Please treat your vaccination appointment as you would an appointment with your doctor. If using public transport, please ensure you adhere to social distancing guidelines and use a face covering if you are able to do so.

Why does Renfrewshire only have one vaccination facility?

During our planning for this year's flu vaccination process, we considered several potential locations across Renfrewshire. After an evaluation of each site, it was clear that having a single location at St Mirren Park was the safest and most effective way we could find to achieve the results we need to achieve this year - an increased number of vaccinations carried out in the safest way possible. This location was also preferred because it:

• Is easily accessible by car or public transport for Renfrewshire residents.
• Allows for one-way flow of patients with separate entrance and exit routes.
• Has a large and well-lit car park.
• Is large enough to allow us to vaccinate a large number of people every day, with safe social distancing and safe placement of the required number of vaccination stations.

How do I get to St Mirren Park?

Address: Greenhill Road, Paisley, PA3 1RU

By train: Paisley St James rail station is located almost next to the stadium. It is served by trains from Glasgow Central and Paisley Gilmour Street station. Trains go every half an hour and take only two minutes from Paisley Gilmour Street.

By bus: A variety of bus services travel to the area where St Mirren Park is located. The routes are shown on the following web page: https://bustimes.org/localities/shortroods. For those over the age of 80, or under 80 receiving attendance allowance/disability living allowance at higher rate, you may be able to access the SPT My Bus service. Call 0345 128 4025 for more information or once registered you can book online via the website.  MyBus is a bookable bus service offering door-to-door transport and can be used for shopping, GP appointments, visiting friends, attending local clubs, and much more. 

By road: Follow signs for Paisley & Glasgow Airport. Exit the M8 at Junction 29 (St James' Interchange) which is just after Glasgow Airport turn off if travelling east to west. Be careful not to exit on to the A737 which is signposted for Irvine. It is best to stay in the middle lane when passing the Airport as this leads naturally to the St James' Interchange exit.

At the interchange take the first left onto a dual carriageway with some football parks on the left-hand side. Follow this road and after a sharp right-hand bend you should now be in Greenock Road. Then take your first right on to Clark Street and drive to the end of the street which is the junction with Greenhill Road, turn left and you will see the stadium on the opposite side of the road.

Alternatively, if you wish to walk from Gilmour Street.

St Mirren Park is approximately one mile from Gilmour Street station. Proceed left onto Old Sneddon Street. The road curves right at the end and you should continue straight onto St. James Street. Continue straight along this road travelling through the railway bridge onto Underwood Road.

Turn right at the Royal Mail offices onto Greenhill Road.

Frequently Asked Questions about this years seasonal flu vaccination