VACCINATIONS

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Flu vaccination

1. Who can have a flu vaccination?

All eligible patients can receive a free NHS flu vaccination. Depending on your age you will receive one of two vaccinations. Children will usually receive a nasal spray version to provide them with the vaccine. Most of the children's vaccinations will be undertaken in school

2. What if I don't want to have the flu vaccination?

It is your choice if you wish to accept the flu vaccination offer. Evidence strongly supports the vaccinating of the groups identified in order to protect both the individual patient and the wider community from infection. If you do not want the vaccination, please inform the surgery in order that we can record this on your medical record. Please let us know if you change your mind.

3. Why do I have to wait for my vaccination?

The suppliers of the flu vaccination provide vaccines for the global population and they are supplied by a limited number of pharmaceutical companies. Orders are placed by your surgery almost 12 months in advance based on the expected number of patients taking up the offer of a vaccination. Once received we plan to begin administering the vaccines within 24 hours. We will be working later in the evenings and weekends to provide these as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

4. Why do I have to have a different vaccination to my husband / wife?

The NHS and vaccination committee determine which vaccine is most effective and appropriate for the population it is aiming to provide protection for. In the UK all patients aged 65 years or above (including those patients who will be 65 by the 31st March 2021) will receive one particular vaccine, whilst those aged under 65 years will receive a slighlty different one. Your surgery will receive supplies of the vaccine for our over 65 years patients first, with our other vaccine approximately 7 - 10 days later

5. What if I am housebound and cannot get to the surgery for my vaccination?

Some of our medical team will be undertaking vaccinations at home for our patients who are unable to be brought / attend the surgery. We are aware of most of our patients who may need this service and will be contacting them shortly to confirm when the vaccination will take place. If you or someone you care for thinks they may need a home vaccination, please let us know in order that we can organise this as necessary. Home visiting requires a lot more time to complete, so this service is only provided for those who cannot attend the surgery

We will be prioritising vaccinations for our housebound and residential home patients to help to reduce the risk of infections 

6. I have been "shielding" or at "high risk of complications" due to Covid-19- how will I get my flu vaccination?

The current guidance is that "shielding" will be ceased as from 1st August 2020. As a result, it is expected that patients who have been in this group will be able to attend the surgery for their vaccination as they remain at risk of complications from flu infection also. The surgery follows strict social distancing and infection control measures to help keep everyone safe.

However, if "shielding" is reintroduced in the winter (or before) we have contingency plans to enable us to provide the vaccinations to be given at home. We will advise further as more information is available

7. I am pregnant, will I receive a flu vaccination?

Yes, all pregnant ladies are eligible for and strongly advised to have the flu vaccination. You can receive the vaccine at any stage of your pregnancy. If you have not received your pertussis vaccine, you will also be able to have this if you are at least 16 weeks pregnant. We will be providing some clinics alongside our midwife sessions to administer flu vaccinations.

8. How will the flu clinic be operated?

We plan to administer a large number of vaccinations as soon as possible to protect our patients. In order to do this and to continue to observe the social distancing and protective measures we will be working as follows:

• All patients will be booked into appointment slots
• We ask all patients to keep to their appointment times to avoid any excess of individuals at any one time
• All patients attending will be asked to wear a face covering
• A number of doctors/ nurses we will be on site providing vaccinations
• Staff will be wearing personal protective equipment of gloves, masks /visors for everyones protection and reassurance
• Staff on site will direct our patients to the room to receive their vaccine 
• A one way system will be operated which means you will leave the building by a different door to the one you entered
• Your doctor / nurse will NOT be able to undertake anything else when you attend the surgery. Please do not be offended by this, simply that we need to complete the vaccinations for all of our patients

Vaccination Schedule

Here is a checklist of the vaccines that are routinely offered to everyone in the UK, and the age at which you should ideally have them.

2 months:

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib, a bacterial infection that can cause severe pneumonia or Meningitis in young children) given as a 5-in-1 single jab known as DTaP/IPV/Hib
• Pneumococcal infection 

3 months:                    

• 5-in-1, second dose (DTaP/IPV/Hib)
• Meningitis C

4 months:

• 5-in-1, third dose (DTaP/IPV/Hib)
• Pneumococcal infection, second dose
• Meningitis C, second dose

Between 12 and 13 months:

• Meningitis C, third dose
• Hib, fourth dose (Hib/MenC given as a single jab)
• MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), given as a single jab
• Pneumococcal infection, third dose

3 years and 4 months, or soon after:

• MMR second jab
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio (DtaP/IPV), given as a 4-in-1 pre-school booster

Around 12-13 years:

• Cervical cancer (HPV) vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer (girls only): three jabs given within six months

Around 13-18 years:

• Diphtheria, tetanus and polio booster (Td/IPV), given as a single jab

65 and over:

• Flu (every year)
• Pneumococcal

For travel vaccination and general travel advice please see our travel advice webpage.