Flu Vaccinations are now available to book from 3rd October 2024

Seasonal flu vaccinations are available at the practice in October through to early 2025.

Seasonal flu is a highly infectious respiratory illness caused by a flu virus. It spreads rapidly through the coughs and sneezes of infected people.

Seasonal flu immunisation, or the flu jab, is the injection of a vaccine against flu. It gives good protection from flu that lasts for one year. The flu jab is offered to people in at-risk groups, who are at greater risk of developing serious complications from flu. To stay protected, they need to have it every year.

The vaccine, which is normally available in the autumn, is made from the strains of flu that are expected in winter.

How the vaccine protects you

About a week to 10 days after you have had the flu injection, your body starts making antibodies to the virus in the vaccine. Antibodies are proteins that recognise and fight off germs that have invaded your blood, such as viruses. They help protect you against any similar viruses you then come into contact with.

The flu virus changes every year, so you need to have a flu jab annually to make sure that you are protected against the latest strain of the virus.

How effective is it?

The flu vaccines currently available give 70-80% protection against infection, with flu virus strains closely matching those in the vaccine.

In the elderly, protection against infection may be less, but immunisation reduces the chances of pneumonia, hospital admissions and death from seasonal flu.

For most people, seasonal flu is unpleasant but not serious and they recover within a week, however, certain people are at greater risk of developing serious complications of flu, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. These may require hospital treatment. A large number of elderly people die from flu every winter.

The seasonal flu vaccine is offered free of charge to these at-risk groups to protect them from catching flu and developing these complications.

If you are the parent of a child (over six months) with a long-term condition, speak to your GP about the flu jab. Your child's condition may get worse if they catch flu. Likewise, If you are the carer of an elderly or disabled person, make sure they have had their flu jab.

Vaccination program

  • All appointments for flu vaccines will need to be booked in advance.
  • Higher risk groups will be vaccinated first and will be sent messages to come in and attend a pre-booked appointment
  • Where possible please walk to the surgery to leave the car park available for those who are less mobile.
  • The practice is working hard to ensure SMS messages are being sent to invite all patients that are eligible 
  • The practice supplies for flu vaccinations is limited, and we will always aim to vaccinate as many people as we can get supplies for, so when you get your SMS, please respond and book your appointment at the earliest before supplies run short.  Usually by Mid November, stock / supplies will be running low or run out completely.

Those eligible for a free flu vaccine are patients

  • are aged 65 or over
  • are pregnant
  • live in a care home
  • are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
  • live with someone who has a weakened immune system
  • Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer
  • have certain long-term health conditions such as:

- A heart problem

- A chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis or emphysema

- Kidney disease

- Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)

- Liver disease

- A history of stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

- Diabetes

- A neurological condition, for example multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy

Further information is available on NHS.UK website on Flu jabs

Housebounds patients

  • Care home and other house bound patients will be contacted from October and Early November, patients will be contacted to be vaccinated for Flu jabs and Covid jabs. These are being done separately this year. 
  • If you have not heard anything by the end of November, please contact the practice and we will liaise with the Federation to check your status for the home visit to get you vaccinate

Covid Vaccinations

Please visit this link if you would like the latest information on Covid Boosters and if you are eligible to book an appointment - Covid Vaccinations on NHS.UK

Published on 1 October 2024