Seasonal Flu Vaccination

Flu (also known as influenza) is a highly infectious illness caused by the flu virus. It spreads rapidly through small droplets coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person.   For most people, flu is unpleasant but not serious. You will usually recover within a week.

Studies have shown that flu vaccines provide effective protection against the flu, although protection may not be complete and may vary between people. Protection from the vaccine gradually decreases and flu strains change over time. Therefore, new vaccines are made each year and people at risk of flu are encouraged to be vaccinated every year.

The flu vaccination is offered to people in at-risk groups. These people are at greater risk of developing serious complications if they catch flu, such as pregnant women and elderly people.

Flu - 2023

 You will be invited for a flu jab if you are eligible for the flu vaccination this season. The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to adults who:

• are 65 and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2024)
• 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 a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis

More information can be found here - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/

 

All patients eligible for the flu vaccination will receive a text, email or letter advising them to book into one of our flu clinics.

 

FLU CLINIC DATES:

 

FLU CLINIC - SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2023   8.30am - 11.00am (Booked clinic - NO walk ins)

FLU CLINIC - WEDNESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2023   6.00pm - 7.30pm (Booked clinic - NO walk ins)

You can book a flu appointment using the link that will be sent via text message to eligible patients. Alternatively, Please contact the reception team on 02035383959 to book an appointment.

 

We will also be offering various other in hours mid-week bookable flu clinics throughout the flu season for patients that are unable to attend on the two dates above. 

 

Children (Nasal Spray) – We will be offering nasal spray for 2 and 3 years olds. Appointments are now available to book

Housebound Patients – The Practice will be visiting our housebound patients this year to co-administer Flu and COVID vaccines. These visits will take place from mid October onwards. Please notify the Practice ASAP to make us aware that you or a friend/relative is housebound.

 

Please note that we will be holding COVID vaccination clinics in Practice for the Autumn booster campaign. These clinics will start around mid-October Patients can also book via the national booking system by calling 119.

  

Attending for your Flu vaccination

 

It is very important that you read the following information to help prepare for when you attend for your vaccination:

• Please arrive on time for your appointment or between designated times for walk in clinics.
• Ensure you are wearing a short sleeve t-shirt (no jumpers please). You will be asked to have your arm prepared when entering the building
• Bring an umbrella if it is raining as you may have to wait outside
• Do not attend if you have any symptoms of COVID or have recently tested positive for COVID

 

Resources

 

For further information on Flu guidance and COVID please use the links below:

 

Flu - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/

Children’s Flus - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/

CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/

COVID - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

 

  

How to decline the flu vaccination this season

 

If you already know that you don’t want a flu vaccine this year, please send an email to thegrove@nhs.net with your name, date of birth and advise us that that you would like to ‘Decline Flu Vaccination in 2023’.

or

Let us know by responding to the text message invite and this will record your preference directly into your medical record.