Flu Clinic 2020

 

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Influenza is a virus that infects many people each year, causing severe illness and sometimes death. The flu vaccination provides the best possible protection against this unpredictable virus.

This year, we will be running our flu clinics differently to ensure that we are COVID safe. It is vital that you DO NOT attend for your vaccination if you or a member of your household currently has symptoms of COVID-19 or if you are self-isolating due to contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.

Please Call Reception to Book Your Appointment

Depending on your date of birth, you may be 64 and still invited in for a flu vaccination during our over 65 clinics. This is normal so please do not be alarmed.

Please note that our clinics run on an appointment basis, our flu clinics are NOT a walk in service. 

The vaccination is free and recommended yearly for those who are most at risk of contracting influenza. This includes:

  • Pregnant women
  • Anyone who suffers from a long-term medical condition
  • Everyone aged 65 and over
  • People who act as carers or work in health and social care
  • Close contacts of immune-compromised individuals
  • Those in long-stay residential care homes

If there is someone you rely on as your carer, please ask them to contact their own surgery as they may be eligible for a free flu vaccination too.

Whilst we’ve received information that all 50-64 year olds may be eligible for a free flu vaccination as part of plans to protect more people against seasonal flu, these free vaccinations will be subject to delivery later in the year.

This allows us to focus on those who are in an at risk group, such as pregnant women and people with long term health conditions. They will be given priority and offered the vaccine first; if you are in this category you will be contacted.

If you are aged 50-64 and not in one of the at risk categories you will be made aware in the coming months if you will be able to attend for vaccination. If the programme is extended, this is likely to be November or December.

Of course if you wish to access a vaccine prior to this date you can pay to have this at your local pharmacy as in previous years, otherwise please wait for more information. 

Please follow the below steps to ensure we're as safe as possible this flu season

  • Only arrive at your designated appointment time
  • Do not arrive early
  • Wear appropriate clothing (like a short sleeved t-shirt),
  • Make sure your arm is bare from the shoulder down when seeing the doctor or nurse
  • The waiting room will only be used for you to queue; there will be no seats inside
  • You will be signed in when you are with the doctor or nurse, so please join the queue when you arrive as you will be seen in order of arrival.
  • Strictly one person per appointment

Important: Please wear a shoert sleeved top and make sure the top of your arm is exposed and ready for injection. There will not be time or privacy to remove your top once you are called

Please note that for safety reasons our car parks will not be open on the days of our flu clinics 

Please respect social distancing and give other patients room whilst queuing.

We also ask that all patients wear a mask or face covering while they are in the building, unless you are exempt from wearing one. 

Common side effects from the Flu vaccine:

  • Soreness, redness and/or swelling at injection site
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Muscle aches

The doctors and nurses are only there for your flu vaccination. Please speak to us during the week if you have any other health queries as there will be no time for this during our flu clinics

Whilst we’ve received information that all 50-64 year olds may be eligible for a free flu vaccination as part of plans to protect more people against seasonal flu, these free vaccinations will be subject to delivery later in the year.

This allows us (GPs and community pharmacists) to focus on those who are in an at risk group, such as pregnant women and people with long term health conditions. They will be given priority and offered the vaccine first; if you are in this category you will be contacted.

If you are aged 50-64 and not in one of the at risk categories you will be made aware in the coming months if you will be able to attend for vaccination. If the programme is extended this is likely to be November or December.

Of course, if you wish to access a vaccine prior to this date you can pay to have this at your local pharmacy, as in previous years, otherwise please wait for more information.