For up to date goverment guidance on COVID-19 visit gov.uk

As is usual, we will continue to offer flu vaccine appointments at various times of the week throughout the Autumn.

Who is eligible for the Flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

• are aged 65 or over
• have certain long-term health conditions
• 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. For more information about the flu vaccine please click here.

Who is eligible for COVID vaccine this autumn?

• adults aged 65 years and over
• residents in a care home for older adults
• individuals aged 6 months to 64 years who have certain long-tern health conditions. 
• frontline NHS and social care workers, and those working in care homes for older people.

The vaccine should usually be offered no earlier than around 6 months after the last vaccine dose. If you are eligible, you can get protection from an autumn COVID-19 vaccination even if you have not taken up a COVID-19 vaccine offer in the past. Patients will have to use the COVID Vaccine National Booking System to find a suitable appointment. For more information about the COVID vaccine please click here. 

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE SURGERY ABOUT YOUR COVID-19 VACCINATION

From 1st September 2024, the NHS is introducing a new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme which will be offered at the practice to eligible patients.

You do not have to contact the practice as we will be sending out invitations to all eligible patients. We have around 1000 potentially eligible patients so invitations will be over the next few months.

RSV is a common respiratory virus. Cases peak each winter, although can occur at any time of the year. It can be more serious for people aged 75 and over, and babies under 6 months old. Almost all children get it at least once before they're 2 years old.

Everyone turning 75 years old on or after 1st September 2024, up to and including 31st August 2025, will be offered the RSV vaccine this year. Pregnant patients at 28 weeks or more will also be offered the vaccine, to help protect their baby for the first few months after birth (offered through maternity services).

For the first year of the programme, the vaccine will also be offered to those who are already aged 75 to 79 years on 1st September 2024, and patients who will turn 80 years old before 31st August 2025.

Patients do not need to do anything. Those eligible will be contacted by the surgery to book an appointment.

More information at nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv or Your guide to the RSV vaccine for older adults - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)