Vaccination Information
Autumn/Winter 2025 Vaccination Programme - updated 23rd July 2025
Good news! The Practice will be offering all eligible patients the opportunity to have their COVID vaccination alongside their Winter Flu Vaccination this Autumn.
Please do not contact reception, as patients will shortly be sent details on how to book.
Winter vaccinations
The NHS encourages eligible groups—such as older adults, pregnant women, young children, those with certain health conditions and carers—to get vaccinated as early as possible in the season.
Winter Flu
Influenza (flu) vaccination is important because, while flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and even life-threatening for some, particularly those with certain health conditions. Getting vaccinated helps protect individuals from flu and relieves the pressure on the NHS and social care services.
In the UK, the flu vaccination season typically starts in September and runs until March, with the main push for vaccinations occurring between September and early December. This ensures people are protected before flu activity peaks, usually between December and March.
COVID
Viruses change, and protection fades over time. The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect against COVID-19 virus, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. People at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 are invited to receive the vaccine, which the NHS usually offers in spring and early winter.
Getting the COVID vaccine can help reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms and help you recover more quickly if you catch COVID. It protects against different types of the COVID virus and can help reduce your risk of being hospitalised if you become infected.
Winter 2025 Vaccination Clinics
The Surgery will be offering all eligible patients the opportunity to have their COVID vaccination alongside their Winter Flu Vaccination. We are finalising our Winter Vaccination clinics and if your patient record indicates you are eligible you will receive an invite. Please do not contact reception until we make contact with you.
In the meantime, please ensure that your up to date contact details are registered with us so that we may reach you. If you need to update your phone number or address, you can do this online using our form>>
For more information on what you can do to help yourself stay well in winter and vaccine eligibility, please follow this link to the NHS Winter vaccinations and winter health web page>>
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccinations
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 which commenced September 2024, for the protection of older adults, women who are at least 28 weeks pregrant and for infants.
Find out more on the NHS website here>>
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. After that, pregnant women will become eligible as they reach 28 weeks gestation and remain eligible up to birth.
What happens next?
West Moors Village Surgery is inviting eligible patients to take up the offer a free RSV vaccine. If you receive an invitation from us, please contact us to book an appointment at the earliest opportunity.
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:>>.
Page created: 23 February 2023
