Flu Vaccination 2021

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE MESSAGE – IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please see below our plan as of 16 August 2021 which is subject to change at short notice.

We will post on this page details of any future Flu clinics.

As you will appreciate, this year will again be an extremely challenging campaign to ensure as many of our patients are vaccinated as early as possible, whilst continuing to minimise the risk of COVID-19 for your (and our) safety.

This year, initial invites will be sent by SMS text to the mobile number we have on record.  With the text will be a link to self-book  your appointment.  It is quick and easy to book, just follow the simple instructions in the text.

TEXTS WILL BE SENT APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE CLINIC DATE(S)

The dates are staggered to reflect the delivery schedules of the vaccine and priority as set out by NHS England.

• Over 65s – Vaccines will be available from September 2021 (and the months following until March 2022) – First Provisional date is 25th September 2021 subject to confirmation of vaccine delivery.
• 18-64s at risk – Vaccines will be available from September 2021 (and the months following until March 2022) – First Provisional date is 25th September 2021 subject to confirmation of vaccine delivery.
• Children – Vaccines will be available from October 2021 (and the months following until March 2022)
• 50-64s – Will be invited with the 18-64 cohort this year

DONT HAVE A SMART PHONE?  DON’T WORRY, RECEPTION WILL STILL BE ABLE TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR YOU ONCE THE TEXTS HAVE BEEN SENT

Please ensure your contact details are up to date and you can receive SMS text alerts.  More details will be publicised on our website and facebook page.

DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU (OR ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD) HAS CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS – GET A TEST

Vaccines

As MANDATED by the NHS, we will be using two types of vaccine in our flu vaccination programme this year.

• Adjuvanted trivalent flu vaccine (aTIV) – people aged 65 and over.
• Quadrivalent vaccine (QIV) – people aged 18 to 64 years who are in a clinical risk group and the extended cohort for patients aged over-50-64.

Self-Help

You can often treat the flu without seeing your GP and should begin to feel better in about a week.

Check if you have flu

Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:

• a sudden fever – a temperature of 38C or above
• aching body
• feeling tired or exhausted
• dry, chesty cough
• sore throat
• headache
• difficulty sleeping
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea or tummy pain
• nausea and being sick
• The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.

For more details please see NHS Choices – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/