Newsletter Summer 2024 (Issue 9)

For this Autumn vaccination campaign we are planning to offer  the Covid booster at the same appointment as the Flu vaccination.  This is dependent on the supply and delivery of the Covid vaccine, but if there are delivery issues we will continue to administer the Flu vaccine at the planned clinics.

However, if you only want a Flu vaccine, a Flu only appointment will be booked where possible. If you only want a Covid vaccine you will be booked into a Covid and Flu appointment slot but indicate your option when booking and when you attend for your appointment.

The eligible patient cohort for both vaccines is the same and these are indicated below.  As in previous years there are 2 flu vaccines, one for patients aged 65 years and over and a different one for patients under 65 years.  We will set up our clinics so that we only administer one type of flu vaccine at that time.  This avoids confusion and error, so please try and book the correct slot for your cohort.

Our appointments will be available to book online via Patient Access and the NHS app. There is also an additional online option for those who don’t have patient access.  We will send an invitation to you via text to your mobile phone.  There will be a link that will allow access to our online appointments and allow you to book a slot.  This link is one use only and is valid for 7 days.  Where possible we would ask patients to use these booking options to keep phone lines free.  For those who don’t have Patient Access or internet access from their phone you are still able to book through reception at the surgery (telephone or over the counter).

Eligible Patient Cohort for Both Vaccines

For 2024 General Practice will be offering flu vaccinations to:

• Residents in a care home for older adults    
• All adults aged 65 years and over
• Persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical at risk group (this includes pregnant women)
• Frontline health and social care workers
• Persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• Persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers and staff working in care homes for older adults

Appointments will be mainly at weekends and during our Thursday lunchtime and extended hours opening.   

During the clinics we will have a limited number of patients in the waiting area, so we would ask patients not to arrive too early for their appointment, you may be  asked to queue outside or wait in your car.

As in previous years you will not sit down in the waiting area or in the consulting room, but it is important patients are not at the surgery long and we keep the flow of patients moving.  Please be aware no other services will be available at this time, so please do not ask clinicians or non clinical staff about any other issues.

There will be a one way system operating through the building, so patients will enter through the main entrance but leave through another exit.

Patients need to wear loose clothing so they can easily expose their upper arm up to their shoulder.  There will not be time for removing layers of clothing prior to the vaccination.  Staff will be reminding patients of this whilst they queue.  If any patients have cold symptoms they should not attend as the vaccination cannot be given and they will be asked to return home and contact the Practice at a later date to rebook.  

• Thursday 3rd October 2024. 65 year olds and over only (Flu only)
• Saturday 5th October 2024. 65 year olds and over only only
• Thursday 10th October 2024. Under 65 year olds only
• Saturday 12th October 2024. 65 year olds and over only.
• Thursday 17th October 2024. Under 65 year olds only.
• Saturday 19th October 2024. 65 year olds and over only (morning)
• Saturday 19th October 2024. Under 65 year olds only (afternoon)
• More dates may be added depending on demand. One off appointments for both vaccinations are difficult as the covid vaccine is in vials of 6 or 10 injections and has to be used once opened.

General Practice only administers children’s flus to the 2 to 3 year old group. Invitations for this will be sent out separately and clinics and appointments will be held at different times to the main flu clinics.