Pauline Merchant, Clinical Lead Nurse for the Vaccination Programme, said: “We have now offered everyone eligible for these vaccinations an appointment, or the opportunity to book their own appointment. Moving to drop-in clinics allows people who were perhaps unwell or otherwise unable to attend their appointment to come in at a time which suits them. I would encourage anyone eligible for either – or both – of these jabs to come along and boost their protection. No-one wants to have their festive plans ruined by illness. 

“Moving to drop-ins means queues at vaccination centres may be possible, particularly at peak times. We would ask people to be patient with us, and to bear in mind we may ask them to come back at another time if clinics become very busy.” 

Vaccination clinics are based in Stonehaven, Banchory, Inverurie, Huntly, Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Macduff, and Elgin. In Aberdeen we have Aberdeen City Vaccination Centre (former John Lewis) and two smaller clinics in Airyhall and Bridge of Don. 

All clinics in Aberdeenshire, along with Airyhall and Bridge of Don, are open Monday-Friday. Fiona Elcock Vaccination Centre in Elgin is open Monday-Saturday; Aberdeen City Vaccination Centre is open 7 days a week. 

Pauline added: “I would still encourage parents or carers of children aged 2-5 to book appointments for ‘flu vaccination, rather than drop-in, as this ensures we have the correct vaccine available for them. Primary and secondary school pupils were offered ‘flu vaccination in schools; where they missed those sessions, they can arrange vaccination at a participating community pharmacy. Details of these pharmacies are on www.grampianvax.com" 

Other vaccination programmes, such as shingles and pneumococcal, are paused while the Winter vaccination programme is carried out and it is not possible to drop-in for these vaccinations at this time.