Vaccination Information
Winter 2024/25 Flu Vaccination Information for Patients - updated 27th September 2024
Flu vaccination is important because, while flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and even life-threatening for some people, particularly those with certain health conditions.
Our flu clinics will start from October 4th. If you're eligible for the flu vaccine, we will contact you with the offer of an appointment. Please wait to be invited.
Please scroll down for information on this season's eligibility criteria.
Who is eligible?
We offer Winter Flu Vaccinations for registered patients who are:
- Aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
- Aged 18-64 years of age considered at risk (meet eligibility criteria outlined by the NHS*)
- Live with someone more likely to get a severe infection due to a health condition or weakened immune system
- Pregnant
- Receive a carer's allowance or are the primary carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk
- Frontline health workers and social care workers who cannot get the vaccine through an occupational health scheme at work.
* To establish if you are in an at-risk group, please download NHS Flu Risk Group information by following this link>>
The image below shows the vaccines offered by eligible group. Follow this link to download and view a PDF copy of this information>>
For further information on the flu vaccination, who should have it and why, please visit the HM Government website here>
COVID 19 Vaccinations - updated 27th September 2024
As we move into autumn, protection from any earlier COVID-19 vaccination you may have had will be starting to wane. For those who are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, the NHS offers a free vaccine in the autumn, previously known as the ‘Autumn Booster’.
- adults aged 65 years and over
- residents in a care home for older adults
- individuals aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group *
- frontline NHS and social care workers, and those working in care homes for older people
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccinations - updated August 22nd 2024
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious lung infections.
While RSV infection can occur at any age, the risk and severity of RSV and its complications are increased in older adults pregnant women and infants, having a considerable impact on these individuals and NHS services during the winter months.
Following guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), in June HM Government announced a vaccination delivery programme will commence from 1 September 2024, for the protection of older adults, women who are at least 28 weeks pregrant and for infants.
Who is eligible?
Programme for older adults aged 75 to 79 years old
All adults turning 75 years old on or after 1 September 2024 will be eligible for the routine programme and will be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine on or after their 75th birthday.
In the meantime, a one-off catch-up campaign for those already aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 September 2024 will be undertaken at the earliest opportunity with the aim of completing the majority by 31 August 2025.
In line with JCVI guidance, individuals will remain eligible until their 80th birthday.
Programme for pregnant women to protect infants
All women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant on 1 September 2024, will be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine, by the GP Practices in our network. After that, pregnant women will become eligible as they reach 28 weeks gestation and remain eligible up to birth.
What happens next?
We are currently inviting eligible patients to take up the offer a free NHS vaccine to clinics in September.
Childhood Immunisation
Childhood immunisation is an important aspect of your child's healthcare. For information on routine childhood immunisation, please visit our Children's Health page by following this link:>>
Travel Vaccinations
Foreign travel may expose patients to certain infections. So, If you're planning to travel outside the UK, find out what vaccinations you might need on our Travel Health page by following this link:>>
Shingles Vaccinations
Prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease.
A vaccine to prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease. There is a vaccine to help protect you from the pain of shingles.is available on the NHS to people in their 70s. The shingles vaccine is given as a single injection into the upper arm. Unlike the flu jab, you'll only need to have the vaccination once and you can have it at any time of the year.
You're eligible for the shingles vaccine if you are aged 70 to 79 years old. The shingles vaccine is not available on the NHS to anyone aged 80 and over because it seems to be less effective in this age group. For more information visit the Shingles vaccine overview page on the NHS website:>>.
Pneumococcal vaccine for over 65s
Protection against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections.
A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. But some people such as adults aged 65 or over are at higher risk of serious illness.
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections. It's also known as the pneumonia vaccine.
Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and can lead to pneumonia, blood poisoning (sepsis) and meningitis.
Most people only need 1 dose of the vaccine for long-term protection. The protection only starts to reduce after 5 years. For more information visit the Pneumococcal vaccine overview page on the NHS website:>>
Men ACWY Vaccination
A rare but life-threatening disease caused by meningococcal bacteria.
Meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) is a rare but life-threatening disease caused by meningococcal bacteria.
Older teenagers and new university students are at higher risk of infection because many of them mix closely with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria at the back of their nose and throat.
"Fresher" students going to university for the first time should make sure they've had the MenACWY vaccine to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, which can be deadly. The MenACWY vaccine is also routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10.
Anyone born on or after 1 September 1996 who was eligible but missed their teenage MenACWY vaccine can still have the vaccine up to their 25th birthday. For more information visit the MenACWY vaccine overview page on the NHS website:>>.