We are now booking flu vaccinations!
If you are a 50 - 64 year old we can now offer you the flu vaccination
Our flu clinic dates are as follows and can be booked online or via reception
- 5th of December
Booking flu vaccination this year is more important than ever to prevent an outbreak. We have been working hard to deliver flu vaccinations so that patient safety is ensured. We are limiting numbers for each session to ensure safety and we are having to work with the vaccine supply that we have. We have put this page together to answer your questions regarding the vaccination.
Am I eligible for vaccination?
Our telephone lines are extremely busy at present due to the numbers of people wanting to make contact with our practice. If you wish to check if you are eligible you can go online using the Patient Access app. Login and follow the questions to give you an eligibility answer. You are eligible:
• If you are aged 65 years or over
• If you are on regular inhaled steroids
• If you have a chronic respiratory disease (including asthma if you are on regular inhaler steroids)
• If you have chronic heart disease
• If you have chronic kidney disease
• If you are diabetic
• If you have a weak immune system
•If you live in a long-stay residential or nursing home
• If you have a chronic liver disease
• If you are a carer
If you are eligible please contact us on 0117 9623406 after 11:30 am.
I am aged between 50-64 but not in an at-risk group, can I have the flu vaccine?
Whilst we’ve received information that all 50-64 year olds may be eligible for a free flu vaccination as part of plans to protect more people against seasonal flu, these free vaccinations will be subject to vaccine delivery later in the year.
This allows us (GP’s and community pharmacists) to focus on those who are in an at risk group, such as pregnant women and people with long term health conditions. They will be given priority and offered the vaccine first; if you are in this category you will be contacted.
If you are aged 50-64 and not in one of the at risk categories (listed above) you will be made aware in the coming months if you will be able to attend for vaccination.
Please do not call to ask about the flu vaccination if you are in this group - we will let you know as soon as we know. For more information on flu eligibility see our page here.
I have no condition(s) that make me eligible for the flu vaccine but I live with someone who is on the shielding list?
We have a small number of patients who have been defined as ‘High risk’ and had to shield under government guidelines. These patients will have been previously notified of their need to shield in a formal letter from the government/NHS. If you are living with someone at ‘High risk’ then please contact us for a flu vaccination.
We also have a number of patients who are at ‘Moderate risk’ who sensibly chose to shield. At this time, if you live with someone who is in the ‘Moderate risk’ group, you are not eligible for a vaccine.
Will the flu vaccine give me the flu?
There are several types of injected flu vaccine and you will be offered the one most suitable for you. None of the adult vaccines contains live viruses so none of the vaccines can cause you to have flu. If you are unwell after the vaccination (or if you were unwell after a previous vaccination), you may have something else. Or you may have caught flu before your vaccination had worked (it can take 10-14 days for the vaccine to work).
Where can I have a private flu vaccination?
Click here to see where you can get a private flu vaccination if you wish.
Flu vaccination booklet: download and read our flu information leaflet.
I am attending a flu clinic at the surgery, what do I need to do?
In attending a flu clinic, please can we ask you to comply with the following:
- Do not arrive early for your vaccination
- Wear a mask and keep to social distancing requirements (a visor is not sufficient, you will need to wear a face mask)
- Come alone unless a carer is required or if you have booked an appointment concurrently with a household member such as a spouse
- Only bring the minimum amount of belongings with you and take off your outer garments to expose the arm
I have COVID-19 symptoms but I still need my flu vacccine, can I attend a clinic still?
No, if you have any symptoms you will have to defer your vaccination until your symptoms fully resolve following a negative test or defer for 14 days after symptom resolution. If you feel you are under the weather in general and have any doubt regarding your symptoms, you are advised to reschedule your appointment.
Can I have the pneumonia vaccine at the same time as my flu vaccination?
You only need to have the pneumonia vaccine once, so if you have had it in a previous year you will not need to have it again. The clinical team are administering the pneumonia vaccine where appropriate during flu clinics but this depends on the availability of the vaccine. We will do our best to vaccinate a patient if we can but it may not be possible in certain instances.
Why am I being asked to wait for my flu vaccination?
A leafelt has been developed to explain why you may have been asked to wait for the flu vaccination this year.
Published: Oct 5, 2020