Flu Vaccinations and Covid Vaccinations 2023 (UPDATED 8 September 2023)
This year we are able to offer both flu and covid vaccinations to eligible patients.
We will be offering flu vaccinations on the following dates and will also be offering covid vaccinations at the same time.
We will update patients on this website with further information so please check this site.
Please note that we are offering early evening appointments for those who have work commitments or need a lift from working family members or carers. Appointments will be from 9 am to 7 or 8 pm on most vaccination dates.
Flu and Covid Vaccination Clinic Dates and Times
4 October: Adults 65 years and under, 18 to 64 years in at risk groups currently available to book
10 October: Adults 65 years and 18 to 64 years in at risk groups currently available to book
17 October: Adults 65 years and 18 to 64 years in at risk groups currently available to book
18 October: Children aged 2 to 3 years on 31 August 2023 or children aged 6 months to 17 years in an at risk health groups (these will be daytime appointments)
25th October: -. Adults 65 years and 18 to 64 years in at risk groups currently available to book – currently open for booking.
We are also looking to put on another children’s flu clinic on 25th October – details will be posted but please contact the surgery for more information.
We will also run mop up clinics but we would prefer for most of our patients to be vaccinated in October 2023 to provide the best coverage to prevent anyone catching flu.
Who is eligible?
This year the flu vaccine is being offered in General Practice to:
- Adults who will be age 65 years and over by 31 March 2023.
- People with certain medical conditions including children in at-risk groups from 6 month onwards For further information check on the NHS website at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
- Pregnant women
- People living with someone who is at high risk from coronavirus (for example relatives whose immunity to infection is compromised)
- Children aged 2 and 3 years on 31 August 2023
- Frontline health & social care workers
- Carers
Children aged 4 years to 11 years should be offered the flu vaccination at school – this will be organised by the School Immunisation Team and they will be contacting parents via their children’s school. Please contact your school to discuss if you have a query about this flu programme.
Aged 50-64? If you’re aged 50 to 64 and not in a clinical risk group then we will not be offering a routine flu vaccination again this year – see the eligibility list above for details. We apologise to anyone who would like this vaccination but the decision to change who is eligible for a flu vaccination is made by the NHS England and beyond the Surgery’s control. If you are not sure if you are in a clinical risk group
For more information about eligibility for the flu vaccination see the nhs websites at Flu – NHS (www.nhs.uk) or Child flu vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Why should I get vaccinated?
If you are invited to attend a flu clinic it is important that you do so, the flu vaccine won’t protect you against COVID-19, but it will help protect you against a serious and sometimes fatal condition. This is particularly important with COVID-19 in circulation because people vulnerable to COVID-19 are also at risk of complications from flu. When invited please take up your jab to protect yourself and others.
How will clinics run?
As a result of Covid-19 the flu clinic will run differently this year, so please:
- attend at your appointment time via the front door to the practice
- CHECK IN is at the Waiting Room Desk not the touchscreen and you will be directed to whichever nurse is giving your vaccination;
- patients are no longer required to wear a face covering
- have your arm out ready or easily accessible
- note there will be nowhere to store bags, trolleys or excess clothes, the clinic is open plan with limited privacy
- leave promptly
- avoid touching any surfaces wherever possible
- do not attend if you or any member of your household that you live with has covid.
How to book
Text or email messages links: The practice will be sending out text or email invites to patients who are eligible. These messages will contain a link to allow you to book straight into an appointment. This link will stay active for 7 days. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR DOB NEEDS TO BE ENTERED USING THE CALENDAR OR IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT USING YOUR OWN DATE OF BIRTH: 01/01/1966.
Online Appointments – Appointments will be made available online for patients to book into directly. Patients with SystmOne Online accounts (often used to order medication) or the NHS App should be able to book via this method
Telephone – patients can call directly on 01525 723762. This number is available after 10.00 am until 6 pm Monday to Fridays. Please do not call before 10.00 am or between 1 to 2 pm as staff will be working on other duties.
If you call this number for another reason then you may be redirected to the main switchboard number. This line is prioritised for taking flu vaccination bookings ONLY.
Online Triage: You can request an appointment via the online triage system but this may take longer and you cannot easily choose from the available appointment times. If you are not sure if you eligible then contact us via the Online Triage using the admin query option.
Website – This year we will not be using the main website for bookings – patients are encouraged to use the methods listed above.