Seasonal Vaccines:  Flu and Covid-19

 

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Seasonal vaccinations for Flu and Covid-19 help to protect against these potentially serious or life-threatening illnesses.

They are available to all, but are offered free on the NHS to people at increased risk of getting seriously ill due to their age or health condition, or to those in contact with someone at risk.

 

Flu Vaccine

The Flu vaccine is offered by the NHS every year in the autumn or early winter, and continues to be available into spring.

You are likely to be eligible for a free vaccine if you:

  • are aged 65 or over (or will be 65 by the end of March following each winter’s campaign)
  • 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

Further information on the Flu vaccine

 

Covid-19 Vaccine

There are two vaccination campaigns for Covid-19. The main campaign is in the autumn or early winter, running alongside the Flu campaign, above. Eligibility for this campaign is usually similar to the Flu campaign but there can be notable differences, so eligibility for one doesn't automatically mean you are eligible for the other.

For people aged 75 or over, those with a weakened immune system, or those in a care home for older adults, a Covid-19 booster will be offered in the spring. Fewer people are eligible for the spring booster because it is only for those who are likely to experience a decline in their immunity levels following the autumn/winter vaccination, to keep them protected for the rest of the year.

Further information on the Covid-19 vaccine

 

Invitations for Flu and Covid Vaccinations

If you are eligible for a free vaccination through an upcoming Flu and/or Covid campaign, the NHS will notify you. We will also send you an invitation to be vaccinated at the practice.

By text

The best way to receive your invitation (as well as ‘Save the date’ texts about our clinics, updates and reminders) is by text. If we have a valid mobile telephone number for you on record, you will receive a self-book invitation to book your vaccine – a quick and easy way to book!

If you do not have a smart phone or the self-book does not work for you, you can call Reception to book instead.

Please check that we have your latest mobile telephone number on your record.

By letter

If we don’t have a valid mobile telephone number for you, we will invite you by letter and you can call Reception to book.

Please check that we have the correct contact details for you.

If you think you are eligible and have not received an invitation, it may be because the eligibility criteria have changed – please check the current eligibility criteria set out by the NHS (using the page links above) which we must follow. If you think you should have been invited according to the current criteria, please contact Reception to check your eligibility and to book your slot. You can check with them that we have the correct contact details for you on your record.

Please note, the eligibility criteria are decided at a national level, and we cannot administer vaccines to patients who are not eligible. If you would still like to have either vaccine, you can pay to get them at some pharmacies.

Our Saturday Clinics

Clinic dates and times will be published in a banner on our website and in our Latest Practice News section.

We hold our vaccination clinics in our main waiting room to provide the most efficient and streamlined vaccination service possible and keep waiting times to a minimum – it takes much longer if you have to go into individual consulting rooms. As a result, please wear a short-sleeved or sleeveless top which will allow us access to the very top of your arm near your shoulder without you having to take it off.

If you would like more privacy than is available in the waiting room, please just let your vaccinator know and they will be happy to take you into a separate room for your vaccination.

 

Accessibility

We have a separate area within the waiting room for patients with mobility issues or who may not be able to stand for the duration of their vaccination. This will be clearly designated, and you can go straight there for assistance if you are not able to go to the welcome desks.

We are also able to send a vaccinator out to vaccinate you in your car if coming into the clinic would be difficult. This is a good option for patients who are usually housebound but who could be given a lift to the clinic by a relative or friend. Please always come with someone who can come into the clinic and ask a vaccinator to come out to you.

As you will be in public, please make sure you are wearing clothing that allows them easy access to the top of your arm.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

I can't make the clinic date being offered, is there an alternative date?

I have had a Covid vaccine recently, should I have another one?

  • You should wait at least 3 months (12 weeks) between Covid vaccines. After this interval, we recommend you have any vaccine you are eligible to have in order to protect yourself from serious illness.

I currently have Covid, can I have a vaccine?

  • Yes. You no longer have to wait any length of time between having a Covid infection and having a Covid vaccine, as long as you feel well enough to have a vaccine and do not have a fever. Please consider others and come in to the practice wearing a mask, and take appropriate safety measures (hand washing, etc) to avoid transmission.

I don't want to have my Flu and Covid vaccines at the same time.

  • There is no extra risk of a reaction when having both vaccines together and the NHS is encouraging patients to have them at the same time if they are eligible for both. However, this does remain your choice and you will be able to discuss it with a clinician at the clinic. We will not be able to guarantee a second appointment for you to have them separately.

Is it Halal?

  • All Covid vaccines currently being used are Halal.
  • All Flu injections currently being used are Halal.
  • The (LAIV) flu nasal spray for the under 18yrs contains pork gelatine, however, it has been advised by Fatwa still to have it as this is the most effective for children. If parents refuse due to the pork content, their child may be offered an injection instead.

Which Vaccines can I have if I have an egg allergy?

  • Covid - All vaccines are egg-free and suitable for someone with an egg allergy.
  • Flu - the QIVc Flu vaccine (sometimes referred to as the ‘under 65yrs vaccine’) is egg-free and suitable for all ages over 6 months. Anyone who has an egg allergy should have this vaccine. The aQIV Flu vaccine (sometimes referred to as the ‘over 65yrs vaccine’) does contain a small amount of egg.

I'm pregnant, is it safe to have these vaccines?

  • Yes. In fact, you are encouraged to do so for both Flu and Covid vaccines.

If I’m not eligible, is there any way I can get vaccinated?

  • We are only able to vaccinate eligible patients, but some pharmacies do offer private services.

I have been invited to have the RSV vaccine. Can I have it at the same time as the Flu and/or Covid vaccines?

  • No. We are advised that the RSV vaccine would reduce the efficacy of the Flu and/or Covid vaccines, so there needs to be a gap of at least two weeks between them.

I had a bad reaction to the last/a previous vaccine, can I have a different one?

  • We are not always given a choice of vaccine to offer but will be able to confirm which we will have shortly before each clinic. If you do not want to have the vaccine(s) we have available, you may be able to get a different type at a pharmacy or walk-in clinic but we will not be able to advise on this.