Vaccinations (also called ‘immunisations’) help to protect against serious diseases.
Children
All children registered with the practice are invited to have their routine vaccinations. These are to stop potentially deadly infections like whooping cough and meningitis.
For children aged 0-5, the practice provides a well baby clinic where you can bring your child for vaccinations. For older children please Book a Nurse Appointment.
Hepatitis A and B
Hepatitis vaccination is important for gay men, injecting drug users and healthcare workers. For advice on testing and vaccination for these potentially serious conditions please complete our form to Request a Nurse Appointment.
Meningitis
The practice can provide vaccination against meningitis to certain groups of people at high risk. This provides protection against the common forms of the A and C types of the disease. The vaccine is available, free, for young children and first-year university students. For children, parents will automatically be sent a letter.
University students can book an appointment with the practice nurse. Make sure you bring your library card when you attend. After their first year, university students may have to pay a charge for this vaccination.
Whooping cough
This vaccination is available to pregnant women as part of our maternity services and to children as part of the routine schedule.
Flu vaccinations
Flu is not the same as a bad cold. Flu can be a very serious illness that can put you in hospital and it can be fatal. The risk of being very ill from flu is higher if you are older, for young children or if you have certain other medical conditions. The NHS provides free flu jabs for those at higher risk.
A flu jab can stop you getting the flu. The strains of flu in circulation vary from year to year, so it’s important to have the jab every year. The flu jab is very effective but it does not protect against common colds, even bad ones.
Who can have the jab?
You are eligible for a free (NHS) flu jab if you are:
- Aged 65 or over on 31 March next year
- Aged 2-4 on 1 September this year (nasal spray vaccination)
If you are aged from 6 months to 65 years and you:
- Live in a residential or nursing home
- Are the main carer of an older or disabled person
- Live in the same household as a person with lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
- Are pregnant
- Have one of these long-term conditions:
- A heart problem
- A chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis or emphysema (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Asthma, if you have had steroid inhalers or steroid tablets in the last year or been admitted to hospital for asthma in the last year
- Kidney disease
- Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
- Liver disease
- Previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- Diabetes
- A neurological condition, for example multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
- A problem with your spleen, for example sickle cell disease, or you have had your spleen removed
- Being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above)
How will I know when to have the jab?
Vaccines are usually delivered at the end of September or beginning of October each year. Keep an eye on our web site for a news article saying that appointments are available and how to book. We usually send text messages with information so make sure we have your up-to-date contact details.
What if I Don’t want the jab?
If you decide you don’t want to have the vaccine, please let a receptionist know, so that we don’t chase you up!
What if I m not Eligible?
If you are not eligible for a free vaccination from the NHS, then you may be able to have one privately. Some pharmacies or large supermarkets offer this service. They set their own charges.