Flu & Pneumococcal Immunisation

Who Is At Risk?

• Those aged from six months to less than 65 years of age, in a clinical risk group:
• chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (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)
• People aged 65 years or over (including those becoming 65 years by 31^st March 2021
• All children aged two to eleven on 31^st August (but not twelve years or older)
• School age children will be given the vaccine by the School Nursing Team.  Should your child fall into a clinical risk group mentioned above please contact the surgery to arrange an appointment.
• Pregnant women
• Household contacts of those on the NHS Shielded Patient List or of immunocompromised individuals
• People living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facility
• Those in receipt of carers allowance, or who are the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer should fall ill
•  Patients aged 50-64 (not in a clinical at risk group)

Please note that, if you are aged between 50 and 64 and not in a clinical at risk group, the earliest you will be offered a flu vaccination is November, providing there is sufficient vaccine. No appointments will be offered for people in this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first. If you are aged 50 to 64 and are in a clinical ‘at risk’ group which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, and you will be invited earlier. 

Do I Need To Be Protected Against Pneumococcal Infection?

Everybody aged 65 and over should now be immunised to help protect them against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis. Please phone the surgery during September to make an appointment if the above applies to you.