Vaccinations

Vaccination is one of the most important things that we can do to protect ourselves and our loved ones against ill health. They prevent up to 3 million deaths worldwide every year.  

Since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either gone or seen very rarely.  

Other diseases like measles and diphtheria have been reduced by up to 99.9% since their vaccines were introduced.  However, if people stop having vaccines, it is possible for infectious diseases to quickly spread again.  

Why vaccines are safe  

All vaccines are thoroughly tested to make sure they will not harm you. 

It often takes many years for a vaccine to make it through the trials and tests it needs to pass for approval.  

Once a vaccine is being used in the UK it’s also monitored for any rare side effects by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).  

Anyone can report a suspected side effect of vaccination to the MHRA through the Yellow Card Scheme.  

Which vaccinations are offered at the GP surgery?  

We follow the NHS vaccination schedule 

Flu Immunisation 

Seasonal flu is a highly infectious illness caused by a virus. Every year it causes several thousand people in the UK to die unnecessarily. 

The virus infects your lungs and upper airways, causing a sudden high temperature and general aches and pains. 

You could also lose your appetite, feel nauseous and have a dry cough. Symptoms can last for up to a week. 

Some people, especially homeless people and others in ‘at risk’ groups, can get very serious complications of flu including pneumonia and sepsis which can result in preventable deaths. 

We offer the flu vaccine at a certain time each year to protect you against the flu virus, especially if you are: 

• Homeless 

• over 65 years of age 

• pregnant 

or have: 

• a serious heart or chest complaint, including asthma 

• serious kidney disease 

• diabetes 

• lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment 

• if you have ever had a stroke 

If you have any queries please contact the surgery. 

For more information, please visit NHS Choices – Flu and the Flu Vaccine 

Pneumococcal Vaccine 

The pneumococcal vaccine (or ‘pneumo jab’ or pneumonia vaccine as it’s also known) protects against pneumococcal infections. 

Pneumococcal infections lead to pneumonia, septicaemia (a kind of blood poisoning) and meningitis. 

Read more about why the pneumococcal vaccination is needed. 

Who should have the pneumococcal vaccine? 

A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. However, some people need the pneumococcal vaccination because they are at higher risk of complications. These include: 

• adults aged 65 or over 

• people with certain long-term health conditions, such as a serious heart or kidney condition 

Read more about who should have the pneumo jab. 

How often is the pneumococcal vaccine given? 

People over-65 only need a single pneumococcal vaccination which will protect for life. It is not given annually like the flu jab. 

People with a long term health condition may need just a single one-off pneumococcal vaccination or five-yearly vaccination depending on their underlying health problem. 

Pregnant women  

We offer vaccination against the whooping cough from 16 weeks of pregnancy to protect newborns form a potentially lethal disease https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/whooping-cough-vaccination/  

We offer the flu jab during the flu season  

Adults 50 years old and over  

We offer vaccinations against the flu to adults 50 years and over  

We offer vaccinations against pneumococcal infection (which can cause pneumonia, blood poisoning and meninigitis) to adults 65 years and over  

We offer vaccinations against shingles to adults 70 years and over  

At risk people, people with underlying health conditions  

We offer a range of vaccinations for people at risk and will invite you  

COVID-19 vaccination  

When available we offer Covid –19 vaccination at the surgery. Please telephone or come into the surgery to check availability.