The autumn Flu and Covid Vaccination Programme started nationally on 3rd October.

We have now completed our main clinics, but still have flu vaccine in stock for anyone aged 18 to 64 in one of the eligible groups, and a very limited supply of flu vaccine for those who are 65 and older.

If you still need a flu vaccination, please contact us, using the usual surgery number. Booking will be made after the festive break, in January 2025.

We are unable to give flu jabs to anyone NOT in the qualifying groups. Please go to other providers, such as pharmacies or larger supermarkets. Charges will apply.

Because the main winter vaccination clinics are complete,we will not be offering Covid vaccinations again this year, or until the spring booster programme starts. 

If you still require a Covid vaccination, click HERE for more information.

We want to encourage all our patients to take up both the flu and Covid booster vaccinations if they are eligible this autumn and are able to do so.

• if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill  
• getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses
• both flu and Covid are miserable illnesses; vaccination offers the best protection against the symptoms

The following groups of people are eligible for a Covid booster:

• anyone aged 65 (including those who'll be 65 by 31 March 2025)
• people living in a care home for older people and their staff
• people aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group 
• frontline health and social care workers

As we have not been commissioned to provide Covid Vaccinations to young people who are aged 5 to 17, other local clinics, or schools should be offering these. 

The flu vaccination programme starts again in October 2024. Although we are not booking into clinics at the moment, we do have the following information. 

There are two types of flu vaccines being used again this year: one for those aged 65 and above and another for those under 65. Those who qualify for a FREE jab are:

• people aged 65 and over (including those who'll be 65 by 31 March 2025)
• people who have certain health conditions (your practice will advise if you are unsure)
• women who are pregnant
• people who are in long-stay residential care
• those in receipt of carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick. If you have just become a carer, please let us know.
• people who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
• frontline health or social care workers

For more information please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/

The National Booking Service and 119 line will be closing from Friday 20th December.

For the National Booking Service online click HERE

Information about the Flu vaccine and possible side-effects can be found by clicking HERE

Information about the Covid vaccines and possible side-effects can be found by clicking HERE

For all Covid vaccinations the gaps between boosters should be:

• Those aged 12 and above, who are immunocompromised, must have a gap of at least 3 months since their last dose, ideally 6 months.
• Those aged 65 and above must have a gap of at least 3 months since their last booster/dose, ideally 6 months. 

If there is an error with your vaccine records and it was given by us, please call 01409 253692 and tell us about this issue. We will try to amend the error the same day, which updates on the national system within 24 hours. 

We are unable to change vaccine records completed elsewhere. If you have an issue with a record that was given at a different site, please contact that site to have any errors amended. If you are unable to contact the site who gave you the vaccine, please call 119 and ask for a VDRS referral. Someone from that team will then call you back and help you woth the query or correction. Once a record has been amended, it will take 24 hours to update on the national system. 

Vaccines given in other parts of the UK should now appear in the English NHS System. 

VACCINATIONS GIVEN ABROAD

If you received any of your COVID-19 vaccinations overseas, you can now book an appointment with a local vaccination centre to get your vaccination records updated. Check the criteria and book an appointment HERE 

OPTING OUT

If you do not wish to be called for a Covid Vaccination you can choose to opt out by clicking HERE. This preference can be changed at any time.

If you do not wish to take up the offer of other vaccinations (including flu vaccinations), please contact your practice directly, so this can be formalised and added to your medical record.