IMMUNISATIONS

Flu Vaccination
We’re doing things differently this year…

The Saturday drop-in flu clinic will be for 65+ years only (if you are born before 1/4/1955 you are eligible for the free NHS Flu vaccination in the over 65 category)

Saturday 28 September 8am – 12pm – no appointment necessary

The date of our drop in flu clinic is determined by when our vaccines are scheduled to be delivered.  This year there are two different vaccinations recommended for different age groups (one for the over 65s and the other for the under 65s).  The vaccine for the 65+ patients will be arriving in September.  The vaccine for the under 65s will be delivered in October and November

Why is the Saturday drop in clinic for 65 and overs only?

By 28th September we will only have taken delivery on the vaccines for patients in the over 65s years category (includes anyone born before 1/4/1955). Anyone below this age cannot be vaccinated at this clinic as we will not have received the stock.

I am under 65 but I am eligible, when can I have my flu vaccination?

We are setting up bookable appointments for flu vaccinations for under 65 year old eligible patients. Appointments will be available from October. Please contact reception to book your appointment if you are born on or after 01/04/1955 and you are in any of the following categories:

• pregnant

or have a long term condition such as:

• a heart problem

• a chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or severe asthma

• a kidney disease

• lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)

 • liver disease

• had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

• diabetes

• a neurological condition, e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy or learning disability

• a problem with your spleen, e.g. sickle cell disease, or you have had your spleen removed

• are seriously overweight (BMI of 40 and above)

• aged 65 years or over

• living in a residential or nursing home

• the main carer of an older or disabled person

• a household contact of an immunocompromised person

• a frontline health or social care worker

Child flu

Children aged two and three years old (on 31 August 2019) will be offered flu vaccine in general practice. Nearly all primary school-aged children will be offered the flu vaccine in school. For most children, the vaccine will be given as a spray in each nostril. This is a very quick and painless procedure. Please contact reception to book an appointment. Clinic dates yet to be confirmed.

Childhood Immunisations

This practice follows the national policy for childhood immunisation. Further information can be found on the NHS Immunisation Schedule website.

Adults

Tetanus & Polio:

Protection against tetanus and polio should be kept up to date. A full primary course with a booster at 15 years of age should be followed by at least two boosters at 10 year intervals to protect throughout life. 

Influenza:

Annual protection against influenza is offered to patients aged 65 and over and those at high risk, e.g., with chronic heart, chest and breathing disorders, and diabetes.

Travel Immunisations

The practice nurses will give advice on foreign travel and any other immunisations required. We are a registered Yellow Fever Centre.

A minimum of seven weeks notice is required. If you are unable to give this, you may wish to check whether we have an available appointment. If the nurses are fully booked you should be prepared to arrange your immunisation through a private travel clinic. Details can be found on the travel advice page. 

Useful websites (click to visit) 

Fit for Travel - a public access website provided by the NHS (Scotland). It gives travel health information for people travelling abroad from the UK

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

NHS Immunisation - the most comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate source of information on vaccines, disease and immunisation in the UK.