Vaccinations

Yes. If you are aged 65 years or over or you are at higher risk

Who is at risk?

• If you are aged 65 years or over or if you are on regular inhaled steroids
• If you have a chronic respiratory disease (including asthma)
• If you have chronic heart disease
• If you have chronic renal disease
• If you are diabetic
• If you have a weak immune system
• If you live in a long-stay residential or nursing home
• If you have a chronic liver disease
• If you are a carer

Every year during the months of October and November the practice runs an influenza campaign aimed primarily at all patients over the age of 65 and all patients who fall into the above categories regardless of their age.

Everybody aged 65 and over should now be immunised to help protect them against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis. Please phone the surgery during September to make an appointment if the above applies to you.

Everyone should have a tetanus immunisation. A course of three injections (normally given in infancy) followed by two booster doses ten years apart gives protection. A booster is then only needed after a penetrating injury. For those patients whose jobs put them at risk can have a hepatitis B immunisation. Contact the surgery for consultation with one of our practice nurses if required or in doubt.

The RSV vaccine helps protect against infection with RSV, a common virus that people usually get better from without help, but some people (especially babies and older adults) can get seriously ill. It's offered on the NHS if you're pregnant, aged 75 or over, or live in a care home for older adults.

If you're pregnant

You should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment.

Speak to your maternity service or contact us if you're 28 weeks pregnant or more and have not been offered the vaccine.

If you're aged 75 or over

Contact us to book your RSV vaccination.

The shingles vaccine helps protect against shingles. It's available on the NHS for all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 18 and over with a severely weakened immune system.

Shingles is a common condition that causes a painful rash. It can sometimes lead to serious problems such as long-lasting pain, hearing loss or blindness.

You're more likely to get shingles, and it's more likely to cause serious problems, as you get older or if you have a severely weakened immune system.

The shingles vaccine helps reduce your chances of getting shingles and reduce your chances of getting serious problems if you do get shingles