With the situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic still so uncertain, and the pressures of the past year – including the end of the furlough scheme, the ongoing “energy crisis”, the cut to Universal Credit, and the impacts of winter storms like Arwen and Barra – we’ve brought back our Wellness in Winter campaign for 2021/22.
We want to focus on people’s health and wellbeing throughout the winter; this page will list physical health resources and support, including everything from flu and COVID-19 vaccinations and how they are being rolled out, to pharmacy opening hours and Vitamin D access. The full list is available below.
NHS Forth Valley has contacted local pharmacies across the Falkirk area (including those in more rural or widespread areas) and confirmed their opening hours during this period, which they have published on their website, as part of their Winter Zone.
The list is organised by area and then holiday date; entries include the pharmacy’s hours that day, their address and contact details.
To access this list, please visit the NHS Forth Valley website (linked for your convenience), under the “Pharmacy Services and Opening Times” (third section).
Due to increasing numbers of the Omicron variant, Scottish Government and the NHS are urging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and make sure they receive their booster vaccines when eligible. NHS Scotland recommends that you book an appointment for your coronavirus vaccine booster at least 3 months (12 weeks) after your second dose.
Everyone aged 18 years old and overcan book their appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine booster:
- online via the NHS Inform website
- by calling the Immunisation Line: 0800 030 8013 (available 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week)
You will require your user name to log in and book an appointment, this can be found on any previous COVID-19 vaccination appointment letter. If you have lost or forgotten your username or password, select either the “get your user name” or “forgotten your password” options on the login page.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends that the booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine is offered to:
- all adults aged 18 years old or over
- older adults living in care homes
- frontline health and social care workers
- adults aged 16 years old or over with underlying health conditions putting them at higher risk of severe COVID-19
- unpaid carers aged 16 years old or over
- adults aged 16 years old or over who live with someone with a severely weakened immune system
NHS Scotland is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to all children and young people aged 12 – 17 years old. They will be offered the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine; further information is available via the dedicated page.
For further information on the COVID-19 vaccine programme, please visit the NHS Inform website.
NHS Scotland is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to all children and young people aged 12 – 17 years old. They will be offered the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine; further information is available via the dedicated page.
- Children with Asthma
A study from Public Health Scotland has found that children with poorly controlled asthma are 3 – 6 times more likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19 than those without the condition.
The findings have led the authors to recommend that children aged 5 years old and over with the condition should be considered a priority for COVID-19 vaccination and that affected children over 12 years old, who are already currently eligible, should strongly consider getting vaccinated as soon as possible.
For further information, including how to access the full study, please visit the Public Health Scotland website.
Scotland’s flu and COVID-19 booster programmes will run until January 2022 for those who are eligible. NHS Forth Valley is also running drop-in clinics for those aged over 40 years old, or over 16 years old with underlaying health conditions.
Due to the spread of the Omicron variant the COVID-19 booster programme is currently being prioritised over flu vaccination; however those most at risk of flu (people aged 65 years old and over, and those aged 16 years old and over with certain underlying conditions which puts them at higher risk of flu) will still be offered the flu vaccine at the same time as their COVID-19 booster.
Other people who are eligible for the flu vaccine can arrange to get vaccinated at local pharmacies across Forth Valley.
For further information on the vaccines in Forth Valley, including drop-in clinics and support for pregnant people, please visit the NHS Forth Valley website.
It is recommended by the Scottish Government that everyone (including children) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D (400 International Units), particularly during the winter months (October – March).
NHS Forth Valley has also released a pdf, “Vitamin D in Forth Valley”, which gives details of where free vitamin D supplements can be accessed locally throughout Forth Valley. (Including some local Health Centres which keep a stock (opening times vary, and are listed in the pdf.)
- Vitamin D for Pregnant People and Children
Breastfeeding parents, breast-fed babies and children under 3 years old can access free vitamin D supplements; parents should ask their health visitor or family nurse for more information.
Pregnant people are also entitled to free Healthy Start vitamins – they should ask their midwife how to get the free supplements.
- Resources
Scottish Government has advice for all age groups available on their website, as does Food Standards Scotland.
Public Health Nutrition Team at NHS Forth Valley has also recently produced a new postcard, suitable for families with young children.
The general information leaflet Vitamin D and You sets out the current advice on Vitamin D; this leaflet is available in different languages and formats, and paper copies can be ordered from HPAC – Forth Valley. (You first need to register your organisation and then log in, to be able to place an order for resources.)
NHS Forth Valley has released a Winter Health Information and Advice Sheet ahead of the festive period.
Winter is typically a busy time for the NHS, especially over the festive period, even without the pressure of COVID-19. NHS Forth Valley ask that people only attend the Emergency Department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital if they have a serious illness or injury.
The information sheet details other health services and support available during the winter, including support available from local pharmacies and your GP, as well as COVID-19 vaccine information.
To view or download the information sheet as a pdf, please visit the CVS Falkirk website.
