Flu Clinic 2020

Flu vaccine supplies and why you need to wait for your vaccine - GOV.UK

We have now received more flu vaccine for our at risk patients who are under 65 years of age.  Please book online if you can or ring the surgery to book an appointment.

The flu vaccine for patients aged 50 -64 is still not available from the government stocks.  We will update our website and Facebook page once we have any further information.

Please note our last flu clinic for our at risk patients aged under 65 and any over 65 year olds will be on Thursday 19th November.

 

Flu clinic 2020 FAQs – Updated 14 October 2020

We now have flu appointments available for patients aged over 65. 

 

When will I be able to make my appointment? We now have flu appointments for over 65s which can be booked by telephone or online. We will update when our new stock of vaccine for under 65s has arrived.

 

 

You are eligible for a free NHS flu jab if you are in the following categories:

  • People aged 65 years or older or who will be 65 years old by 31 March 2021
  • Patients aged from six months to less than 65 years of age in a clinical risk group such as those with:-
  • Chronic (long-term) respiratory disease such as severe asthma, COPD or bronchitis.
  • Chronic heart disease such as heart failure
  • Chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Chronic neurological disease such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease
  • Learning disability
  • Diabetes
  • Splenic dysfunction or asplenia
  • A weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment)
  • Morbidly obese (defined as BMI of 40 and above)
  • All pregnant women
  • Patients living in care homes
  • Patients in receipt of carer’s allowance or who are the main carer of an older or disabled person
  • Health and social care staff
  • Household contacts of those on the NHS shielded patient list.

 

 

What about children who are 2 and 3-year-olds and children in clinical risk groups from age 4 to 17 years? When can I book their appointment, and will I be able to come with them? We are now getting delivery of the vaccine for children in batches and contacting parents by text to book an appointment. The child flu clinics are held in the morning. One parent can stay with their child for the vaccination. We will only be able to vaccinate the adult if they are eligible if we have stock. Currently we do not have any additional stock but we are expecting more stock for at risk 18 – 64 year olds mid-October.

I am age 50 – 64, when can I book my appointment? The delivery of the flu jab to patients who are not at-risk, but who are aged 50 – 64, is due to be rolled out in December subject to vaccine supply. You will not be able to book into a clinic before then at the surgery. Again, we will publicise when you can book on our website and Facebook page.

What do I need to do? Please wear a short sleeve top so that the clinician has easy access to your arm. You will be asked to remove any outer garments at the entrance. Wear a face mask, ensure you wash your hands before and after your appointment, DO NOT attend if you or a close contact have symptoms of COVID-19, or have had contact with a suspected/confirmed case.

How do I attend my appointment? Appointments are in 15 minute blocks. Please do not arrive early for your appointment or you will have to queue outside of the building for longer. We must limit the number of people in the Practice at any one time to keep everyone safe.

What will happen when I arrive? Please stay in your car until 5 minutes before your appointment, then follow the signs to the side entrance. You will need to queue and maintain social distance, but practice staff will be there to guide you. Staff will check your details to ensure you have an appointment – we will not be able to allow access unless you have a booked appointment. Your temperature will be checked and if it is over 37.5, you will not be able to enter the building but you will be advised what to do. You will be asked to remove your outer garments and use the hand sanitiser at the door. A one-way system will be in place to maintain social distance while you are in the Practice.

How is this different to normal? When you arrive at the side door, your details will be checked by a member of the reception team. You will be asked to remove your outer clothing so that your arm is available for the flu jab. You will be directed via a one-way system through the practice to a clinical room.

Where can I park? The Practice car park is open as usual.

What can I do if I would like to talk to a clinician about another health concern? The clinic is just for your flu vaccination. Please book a separate appointment if you need to speak with a member of the team.

What do I do after I’ve had my vaccination? Please leave the practice as directed by the staff as soon as you have received your flu jab. You will not be able to stay onsite because we must limit the number of people in the building to maintain social distancing. If you feel unwell as a result of the flu jab please let a member of staff know.

REMEMBER to wear a short-sleeved top.