Flu Vaccinations - Reepham & Aylsham Medical Practice

The NHS flu programme in England typically offers the flu vaccine to those over the age of 65, pregnant women and those with existing health conditions or weakened immune systems.

Flu Clinics 2022/2023

We are planning to deliver multiple clinics from both our Reepham and Aylsham sites on Saturdays during October. There will not be any expected extension to this time frame and any patient unable to attend will need to consider other providers.

Assuming Coronavirus stock is made available to us for the same dates as above, where eligible we will be co-administering both vaccines at the same time. We do not anticipate being able or needing to deliver these vaccinations separately.

Vaccination Details

We have Fluad (over 65 yr) and Flucelvax (under 65yr) and Fluenz (under 18yr) to administer for our influenza vaccinations.

Stock is due from three separate deliveries and expected to arrive on site in time for the 1^st, 3^rd and 4^th weeks in October.

We are awaiting confirmation regarding Coronavirus supplies and delivery but expect it to be Moderna and in time to co-administer with the Influenza vaccine.

Eligibility

A summary is provided below of expected eligibility, please be aware that whilst this is confirmed for Influenza, there may be further updates which supersede this regarding administration of the Coronavirus vaccination.

Each of the below groups will be able to access vaccinations through the practice unless otherwise indicated:

Cohort / Group	Coronavirus	Influenza
Over 65 years of age	Yes	Yes
16 – 64 years in a clinical risk group	Yes	Yes
6m – 16 years in a clinical risk group	No	Yes
Currently Pregnant	Yes	Yes
Long stay care home residents	Yes	Yes
Carers	Yes	Yes
Frontline Health and Social Care Workers	Yes	Yes
Close contacts of anyone immunocompromised	Yes	Yes
50 – 64 years not in a clinical risk group	Yes	Yes
4 – 16 years not in a clinical risk groupSchool administration only	No	No

Booking Details

Priority will be given to our most vulnerable patients from the first delivery and will include any resident in a care home (including staff) and patients who are housebound. If this is you, we will contact you separately to arrange a visit.

We anticipate being able to send most of our invitations to book appointments using an online link via SMS by mid-September. Please make sure your mobile number is up to date on your medical records to access this easy-to-use facility. Those unable to be invited this way will be called to book once clinics details have been confirmed.

Other Information

All our clinics will be delivered using appointments to help with footfall on each clinic day. As you are aware we have limited parking at both our surgeries and ask that if you can walk or park in an alternative location i.e., car parks close to both, this would be appreciated.

We kindly ask that you wait to be invited to book an appointment until mid-September before contacting the practice. We are aware that sometimes it is difficult to identify some patients listed above e.g., those who are immunosuppressed or their close contacts.

If you consider yourself eligible as per the above and are not invited by mid-September, please do contact us so that we can check your eligibility and book an appointment if appropriate.

The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to people who:

are 50 and over
have certain health conditions
are pregnant
are in long-stay residential care
receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
frontline health or social care workers
have a serious long-term health condition, including:
- respiratory conditions, such as asthma (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

External websites for further information:

Why vaccination is safe and important – NHS UK
Flu vaccine overview – NHS UK
Children’s flu vaccine – NHS UK
Vaccination tips for parents – NHS UK