Flu immunisations 2020 (Updated 30/12/2020)

Patients Age 18-64 in clinical At Risk groups*, are pregnant, a registered carer or household contact of a severely immunocompromised individual: A few vaccine doses remain, if you are 'At Risk' we strongly advise you to contact us and arrange your vaccination.

Patients Age 65 and Over: A few vaccine doses remain, if you have NOT received your vaccination please contact the surgery and ask for information.

Patients Age 50 - 64 Years, not otherwise eligible: No Vaccine currently available, we will contact patients again should we receive a further delivery of vaccine.  We would appreciate it if you would not call the surgery to ask for the vaccine, we do not currently have any information as to whether we will be receiving further vaccine deliveries.

On the day please do not: 
Turn up if you have any Covid symptoms. 
Arrive until your appointment time (We have no indoor waiting areas). 
Bring any excess outer clothing or bags that may delay your time in the surgery. 
Bring anyone into the surgery with you (unless you or they are a carer and cannot be separated). 
Ask staff any non-flu related questions they will not be set up to deal with them 

On the day please do: 
Wear a face covering from when you arrive until you leave. 
Use the hand sanitiser on entry and exit. 
Follow all staff directions and signage. 
Wear clothing that allows for easy access to the top of the arm you want to have the vaccine in. 

Eligibility:

In 2020/21 groups eligible for the NHS funded flu vaccination programme are the same as last year, although this may change if the programme is expanded, and include:

• all children aged two to ten (but not eleven years or older) on 31 August 2020

• those aged six months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups*

• pregnant women

• those aged 65 years and over

• those in long-stay residential care homes

• carers

• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals (living in same household)

• health and social care staff employed by a registered residential care/nursing home, registered domiciliary care provider, or a voluntary managed hospice provider. You may be asked for proof of employment if this is not already recorded on your records.

* Clinical At Risk Groups:

• respiratory conditions, such as asthma (only if needing steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and bronchitis
• diabetes
• heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
• being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
• chronic kidney disease
• liver disease, such as hepatitis
• neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or cerebral palsy
• a learning disability
• problems with your spleen, for example, sickle cell disease, or if you have had your spleen removed
• a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or taking medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy

Vaccines:

We will be administering the following 4 recommended vaccines depending on the patient, individuals who are unable to have the recommended vaccine for their group will be reviewed by the clinical team and advised accordingly.  In summary these are:

• for those aged 65 and over – the Adjuvanted Trivalent Influenza (Seqirus) inactivated Vaccine

• for under-65s at risk, including pregnant women, the Quadrivalent influenza vaccine Split Virion (Sanofi Pasteur) inactivated vaccine

• for children aged 2-17 years, the Fluenz Tetra vaccine nasal suspension (AstraZeneca UK Ltd) live vaccine

• for children aged 6 months-2 years and for those aged 2-17 years who are unable to have the live vaccine, the Quadrivalent influenza vaccine Split Virion  (Sanofi Pasteur) inactivated vaccine

Coronavirus impact on Flu Clinics:

Extra staff are on hand at flu clinics to ensure staff and patient safety.  Social distancing must be followed and all persons to wear a face covering.

Child Flu Immunisations:

If your child is eligible to receive a flu immunisation at the surgery this year you will be sent an invitation to book them in. We are unable to vaccinate children covered by the School Flu Immunisation Programme, unless they are also 'At Risk', as we do not have access to any vaccines for this group of children.

If you (Parent or Guardian) will NOT be attending with your child you are required to complete a Parental Consent Form which must be brought with the child to their appointment. You can access the form below.

If your child is in Primary School (or home schooled) Virgin Care are coordinating the school vaccination programme.

Parental Responsibility Form