The flu vaccination is more important this year than ever.
We currently have in-stock flu vaccines for:
- All children
- Pregnant women
- Patients under 65 years old who are eligible due to a long term health condition.
- All patients over 65 years old
We will be inviting patients to regular flu vaccine clinics. Please contact us to book a time, or walk-in on the day:
- Monday to Friday between 9am to 10am
When you attend for your flu vaccine, you confirm that:
- You consent to receiving the vaccination and have read the information on side effects on the NHS website.
- You have not:
- Been feeling acutely unwell
- Got a recent fever, new cough or loss of sense of taste/smell
- Been advised to isolate
- Got an egg allergy
Before attending, please read the information on this website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
To keep you safe and ensure you are not waiting, please come in loose clothing, with a face mask & have your preferred arm ready for the injection.
Flu News
Fatwa concerning children’s flu nasal spray
· The British Fatwa Council/Karimia Institute has issued a fatwa (a formal ruling or interpretation on a point of Islamic law) which concludes the nasal flu vaccine containing porcine gelatine is permissible for Muslim use read more: https://www.britishfatwacouncil.org/2020/10/fatwa-on-flu-vaccine-containing-porcine-gelatine/
Flu myths
· Many false claims and myths are circulating around the flu vaccination. Flu can be serious and the flu vaccination is your best protection. It is important to distinguish the facts from the myths. Find out more at: https://bit.ly/flu-mythbusters
· The NHS has taken every precaution to provide flu jabs in a COVID-safe way. If you are eligible for a free flu vaccination, your GP practice will contact you directly by letter or text to arrange it.
· If you are invited for a flu jab, it’s important you book and attend your appointment at your GP practice or local pharmacy.
· If you are eligible and have not received an invite, please ask your GP practice or pharmacy.
· With coronavirus and flu both circulating this winter getting your FREE flu jab is especially important. New research suggests that having flu and Covid at the same time can increase your risk of more severe illness and even death, as well as adding pressure to our health and social care services.
· There has never been a more important time to make sure you, and those you care for, are protected against serious illnesses such as the flu.
· Only 1 in a million people get serious side effects from the flu jab. Mild side effects are more common, but far less serious than the possible effects of flu which can cause serious illness or death. The flu jab is the best protection for you and those around you.
· The flu vaccine is available for free to those most at risk.
· For pharmacy appointments you are advised to call ahead. The option to book online at https://myvaccinations.co.uk will become available once further stocks become available in November. Or for Boots visit www.boots.com/online/pharmacy-services/winter-flu-jab-services.
· Get the flu vaccination, stay well and protect the NHS.
**Continued push on children aged 2-3 and under 65s at risk**
The flu jab for pregnant women:
· Catching flu in pregnancy can lead to increased risks for both pregnant women and their babies. Vaccination against flu reduces these risks. Serious complications of flu in pregnant women include pneumonia, septic shock (a severe and life-threatening infection of the whole body), meningitis and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
· Flu vaccination in pregnancy also means that flu antibodies are transferred through the placenta to the baby. This gives the baby some protection against flu for the first few months of life.
· The vaccine is inactivated and cannot cause flu itself.
· It is safe to have the vaccine at any stage during the pregnancy.
Providing the flu vaccination to children
· Flu can be horrible for young children – it can cause high fever, painful ear infections, acute bronchitis, pneumonia and even hospitalisation. Children can
easily pass it on to those around them who could be vulnerable – even if they don’t show any symptoms. The free flu nasal spray is easier to give to children than the injection, is the best way to protect your child and can prevent the spread of the virus. For more information see http://bit.ly/child-flu
· Children aged 2-3 years (on 31 August 2020) will be vaccinated by general practice.
· You may have already received an invite from your GP practice. If you haven’t heard from them, ask your GP about your child’s free flu nasal spray.
· Children aged 4-11 year-olds in reception class and school years 1-7 will be vaccinated in school.
Under 65s at risk
· People with certain serious and long-term health conditions are more at risk during the cold weather and flu can worsen their health problems.
· Flu can cause serious complications if you have a long term health condition, so it is important that you get the flu vaccine.
· You may already have received an invite from your GP practice.
· Please make an appointment with your GP or local pharmacy to get the flu jab.
Flu guidance for people on the shielded list
· If you are a person on the NHS Shielded Patient List, it is vital that you get your free flu jab. Flu can be deadly, and the flu vaccine is the best way to protect those who are shielding from COVID-19 from becoming ill with the flu. You will be contacted by the NHS to arrange your flu jab.
· If you have not heard from the NHS about your flu jab, please contact your GP practice to arrange it
· To protect you from the risk of catching flu, household contacts of people on the NHS Shielded Patient List are also eligible this year for a free flu jab. A household contact is a person that lives with you or is expected to be in your home across most days over the winter. Your household contacts should ask their GP or pharmacist about the free flu jab
Flu vaccine side effects in adults and children
· Vaccinated individuals should be advised that flu vaccines may cause a mild fever which usually resolves within 48 hours. This is a common, expected reaction and isolation is not required unless COVID-19 is suspected. Feeling generally unwell, shivery, achy and tired are also commonly reported symptoms following flu vaccination.
· The nasal spray flu vaccine given to children may also cause a runny or blocked nose. These symptoms usually disappear within one to two days without treatment but paracetamol can be given if necessary to relieve any of these symptoms.
· For more information regarding side effects of the flu vaccine please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-vaccine-side-effects/
