Vaccinations
Winter Flu Vaccination Programme 2024 - updated 21st August 2024
It is nearly time for our our annual flu vaccination programme.
Please can we remind our patients that if you are eligible your GP Surgery has bought and allocated these vaccinations for you. Having your jab at your GP surgery helps them.
Who is eligible?
- Aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
- Aged 18-64 years of age considered at risk (meet eligibility criteria outlined by the NHS*)
- Live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a health condition or weakened immune system
- Pregnant
- Receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk
- Frontline health workers and social care workers who cannot get the vaccine through an occupational health scheme at work.
* To establish if you are in an at risk group please download NHS Flu Risk Group information by following this link>>
Clinic Dates
Week commencing 9th September (AM/PM Nurse clinics) - Children's Nasal Flu and Pregnant Women
Saturday 5th October - Over 65s only
Saturday 12th October - Over 65s and 19 to 65 clinically at risk
What do I need to do?
Eligible patients will be sent a booking link via text message or will be called - please wait for us to contact you. If you have not heard from us by the end of September, please let us know.
Catch up clinics will be available throughout October for those who are unable to make it on the above dates. If you wish to decline your flu vaccination, please do let us know so that we are able to offer your vaccination to someone else.
COVID 19 Vaccinations - updated 9th September 2024
As we move into autumn, protection from any earlier COVID-19 vaccination you may have had will be starting to wane. For those who are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, the NHS offers a free vaccine in the autumn, previously known as the ‘Autumn Booster’.
Eligible groups this autumn- adults aged 65 years and over
- residents in a care home for older adults
- individuals aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group *
- frontline NHS and social care workers, and those working in care homes for older people
Patients will be contacted by SMS Text message with an invitation to book a slot at one of these clinics. Those without mobile phone numbers registered with their surgery will be contacted by phone call.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccinations - updated August 22nd 2024
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious lung infections.
While RSV infection can occur at any age, the risk and severity of RSV and its complications are increased in older adults pregnant women and infants, having a considerable impact on these individuals and NHS services during the winter months.
Following guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), in June HM Government announced a vaccination delivery programme will commence from 1 September 2024, for the protection of older adults, women who are at least 28 weeks pregrant and for infants.
Who is eligible?
Programme for older adults aged 75 to 79 years old
All adults turning 75 years old on or after 1 September 2024 will be eligible for the routine programme and will be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine on or after their 75th birthday.
In the meantime, a one-off catch-up campaign for those already aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 September 2024 will be undertaken at the earliest opportunity with the aim of completing the majority by 31 August 2025.
In line with JCVI guidance, individuals will remain eligible until their 80th birthday.
Programme for pregnant women to protect infants
All women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant on 1 September 2024, will be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine, by the GP Practices in our network. After that, pregnant women will become eligible as they reach 28 weeks gestation and remain eligible up to birth.
What happens next?
The Verwood Surgery plans to invite eligible patients to take up the offer a free NHS vaccine starting in September, with the start date dependent upon receipt of supplies. Please wait to be invited.
Shingles Vaccinations
The Shingles vaccine helps protect you from shingles, a common, painful skin disease.
Previously, you could only have the shingles vaccine between the ages of 70 and 79. However anyone turning 65 on or after the 1st of September 2023 is able to get the vaccine after their birthday.
Please note that if you have your 65th birthday before the 1st of September 2023, you will have to wait until you are 70 to become eligible. Eligibility will then be expanded to include everyone aged 60 and over by September 2033.
From September, the shingles vaccine will also be available to those aged 50 or over with a severely weakened immune system. Immunocompromised individuals who have already received 2 doses of their Shingles Vaccine do not need re-vaccination.
You do not need to get in touch with us to request a shingles vaccine as patients are contacted when they become eligible. However if you are eligible and think you may have missed your vaccine, please contact us>>
The shingles vaccine is given as a single injection into the upper arm. Unlike the flu jab, you’ll only need to have the vaccination once, and you can have it at any time of the year.
For more information visit the Shingles vaccine overview page on the NHS website>>
Pneumococcal vaccine for over 65s
Protection against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections.
A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. But some people such as adults aged 65 or over are at higher risk of serious illness.
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections. It's also known as the pneumonia vaccine.
Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and can lead to pneumonia, blood poisoning (sepsis) and meningitis.
People aged 65 and over only need a single pneumococcal vaccination. This vaccine is not given annually like the flu jab. For more information visit the Pneumococcal vaccine overview page on the NHS website:>>
Men ACWY Vaccination
A rare but life-threatening disease caused by meningococcal bacteria.
Meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) is a rare but life-threatening disease caused by meningococcal bacteria.
Older teenagers and new university students are at higher risk of infection because many of them mix closely with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria at the back of their nose and throat.
"Fresher" students going to university for the first time should make sure they've had the MenACWY vaccine to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, which can be deadly. The MenACWY vaccine is also routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10.
Anyone born on or after 1 September 1996 who was eligible but missed their teenage MenACWY vaccine can still have the vaccine up to their 25th birthday. For more information visit the MenACWY vaccine overview page on the NHS website:>>.
Childhood Immunisation
Childhood immunisation is an important aspect of your child's healthcare. For information on routine childhood immunisation, please visit our Children's Health page by following this link:>>
Travel vaccinations
Foreign travel may expose patients to certain infections. So, If you're planning to travel outside the UK, find out what vaccinations you might need on our Travel Health page by following this link:>>
Other Vaccinations Offered by the NHS
This guide can help you understand the vaccines offered in the UK and when to have them. It also explains how they work and why they’re safe and important. Follow this link for more information about vaccinations from NHS UK>>
If you have any questions or concerns regarding vaccinations, please contact us.