Health chiefs have called on the military to help prop up their creaking care services.
The UK Armed Forces have received a request to aid the rollout of Covid vaccines.
It comes as pressure is ramped up on hospitals and community services ahead of a tough winter.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran are part of a nationwide plea from Scots health boards who have lodged requests with the military for extra support.
Ben Wallace, the UK defence secretary, said he had “no qualms” about British troops answering the calls of the Scottish health service.
However, he warned that “the armed forces have a day job” and that the support would not be indefinite.
“The danger is governments being let off the hook when they fail to deliver their own policy and then they just break glass or normal times for the armed forces,” he added.
South Scotland Conservative MSP Sharon Dowey insisted the military support was a welcome intervention at a time of need.
She said: "I’m pleased to see the UK Armed Forces stepping up to assist NHS Ayrshire & Arran with the booster jag rollout, just as they have been assisting health boards across Scotland with the ambulance crisis.
"With winter approaching and over 100,000 Scots still waiting for a booster, there is no room for complacency at what is a critical time.
“Earlier in the year, the SNP were too slow to roll out vaccines to those in the most vulnerable groups and now it seems they are set to repeat those mistakes with the booster programme."
She added: "Our armed forces are ready and willing to get involved so all health boards that are struggling should take full advantage of their offer to help in the fight against Covid."
Professor Hazel Borland, the health board's interim chief executive, confirmed: "NHS Ayrshire & Arran continue to experience pressure across our acute hospital sites, community services and primary care services.
"As part of ongoing and fluid plans to mitigate the current pressures, we can confirm we have submitted a request for short term military assistance, which is currently under consideration."
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