EAST Lothian's Community Hospital is to be used as a Covid-19 vaccine drop-in centre for the over-40s this weekend, NHS Lothian bosses have told the Courier.

Rising coronavirus cases in the Lothians has led health chiefs to roll out the clinics for people, aged 40 and over, who require a first or second dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine.

Anyone over the age of 40, who has not yet had their first dose – for whatever reason – can attend the clinic without an appointment, while those who are waiting for their second dose can turn up as long as they received their first injection of the Astra Zenaca vaccine at least eight weeks before.

NHS Lothian announced yesterday (Tuesday) that the clinics would run at the Royal Highland Centre's Lowland Hall, Ingliston, and at Pyramids Business Park, Bathgate, from today (Wednesday) through to Sunday.

People will be seen on a first come first served basis, and the centres will run for 10 hours every day.

When asked by the Courier if there would be such a vaccination drop-in centre for the over-40s in East Lothian, NHS Lothian said that "drop in clinics will run this weekend on June 12 and 13 at East Lothian Community Hospital" in Haddington.

The clinics will run this weekend from 8.30am to 3.30pm

Army personnel have been deployed into Lothian to help deliver vaccines across all of the centres.

The Lothian-wide drop-in clinics will allow the vaccination team to target people who have not yet had the vaccine and may also speed up the process for those waiting for a second injection.

Pat Wynne, nurse director of primary and community care, NHS Lothian, said the clinics, which will run for two weeks, were an important step.

He added: “This is a really exciting step for us because it means we can reach a lot of people really quickly to help give them some protection, which is obviously vital to help beat new variants and keep people well.

“We are delighted to team up with the British armed forces again.

"Our teams have previously worked with them in two of our vaccination centres and we invited them to return to provide extra capacity across our centres as part of this race.

"They will join our teams at the routine appointment clinics and in the drop-in clinics.”