Flu Vaccinations 2021

Flu season is fast approaching and we are planning our 2021 campaign.

Flu is a highly infectious illness that spreads rapidly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are carrying the virus.

Flu symptoms can hit suddenly and severely.  They usually include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles.  You can often get a cough and sore throat.  Because flu is caused by a virus and not bacteria, antibiotics won't treat it.

Anyone can get flu, but it can be more serious for certain people.  Therefore the NHS offers free vaccinations to all those ‘At Risk’ patients, the eligibility criteria can be found below: -

• Children aged 2 to 15 (but not 16 years or older) on 31 August 2021
• Those aged 6 months to under 50 years in clinical risk groups
• Pregnant women
• Those aged 50 years and over
• Those in long-stay residential care homes
• Carers
• Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• Frontline health and social care staff employed by:
  • a registered residential care or nursing home
  • registered domiciliary care provider
  • a voluntary managed hospice provider

Vaccination is the best way of protecting yourself and those close to you against infection by preventing the spread of the virus.  

Further information on the flu virus and the benefits of receiving a vaccination are available on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/

Clinics

We are pleased to announce that we will be running clinics on various Saturdays in September to ensure as many of you can make it as possible, without affecting our regular services.

If you are aged 50+, you can book now - invites will follow for all other eligible patients in the next few weeks. 

Patient safety and convenience is important to us.  Our large, clean and well equipped surgery allows us to safely operate a one way system, ensuring social distancing is adhered to at all times.  We ask that all patients coming to the surgery wear a face mask and all of our staff will be wearing personal protective equipment.  This is for everyone’s protection and we hope you find this reassuring.

This year, more than ever, we ask that you support your NHS GP surgery by booking your flu jab with us.  Many people believe they are helping to ease the burden on the surgery by having their vaccination done elsewhere, but seasonal vaccinations generate valuable income on which we rely.  This income enables us to continue offering the services that we provide and we encourage you to support your local GP practice and the NHS.

Please telephone to book your appointment after 11am Monday to Friday, on 01454 613161. 

Published: Aug 5, 2021