2023 Flu and Covid vaccines available now

Our surgery now has Flu and Covid vaccines for anyone over the age of 65. Other eligible groups are listed below.

We have over 2000 jabs available and appointment slots are being booked as I type this message!

 

How to book your Flu and Covid vaccine

 

When am I most at risk from flu and Covid?

Flu circulates every winter. This means many people get ill around the same time. In a bad year, this can be an epidemic. However, it is impossible to predict how many cases of flu there will be each year. This year is predicted to be a bad year after low circulation of flu the past three years. Covid has also been noted to be on the rise again with several confirmed cases being reported again. the new variant means that everyone is at a heightened risk again.

 

Does everyone need a flu jab?

No, just people who are at particular risk of problems if they catch flu. Ask your GP about having an NHS flu vaccination if:

  • you’re aged 65 or over
  • you’re pregnant
  • you have a serious medical condition
  • you live in a residential or nursing home
  • you’re the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill
  • your child is in an at-risk group and is aged six months to two years Some pharmacies also offer free NHS flu vaccination to eligible adults. They do not offer this service for children.
  • You should also be offered the flu vaccination if you are a healthcare or social care worker directly involved in patient care.

Find out more about who should have the flu vaccine.

 

What about Covid vaccinations? Am I eligible?

Specifically, JCVI advises the following groups be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine this autumn:

  • residents in a care home for older adults
  • all adults aged 65 years and over
  • persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book, COVID-19 chapter (Green Book)
  • frontline health and social care workers
  • persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts (as defined in the Green Book) of people with immunosuppression
  • persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers (as defined in the Green Book) and staff working in care homes for older adults

Find out about who should have the covid vaccine

Whilst the categories seem very similar, there are slight differences and your GP surgeries can tell you if you are eligible for both, one or none. 

 

Why are certain groups targeted for the flu and covid jabs?

Complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia are more common in people with other diseases, especially if they are also elderly. Almost all of the deaths related to flu and covid are in people in these groups.

In long-stay residential homes, vaccination helps prevent the rapid spread of flu and covid among residents.

Can a GP vaccinate anyone else?

The final decision about who should be offered the vaccination on the NHS is a matter for your GP, based on your medical history and circumstances.

Is it safe to have both vaccines at the same time?

Yes! We have amazing bodies and our immune system can respond independently to both vaccines giving a strong response to both. If you are not sure about having both at the same time, let the nurse or doctor know and we will book you in for your other in the near future.

How long will the flu and covid jab protect me for?

The flu and covid jab will provide protection for you for the upcoming flu and covid season. People eligible for flu vaccination should have the vaccine each year.

Can I have the flu jab while I’m taking antibiotics?

Yes, it’s fine to have the flu and covid jabs while you are taking a course of antibiotics, provided you are not ill with a fever.

How long do the vaccines take to become effective?

It takes between 10 and 14 days for your immune system to respond fully after you’ve had the jabs.

If I had the flu and covid jab last year/earlier this year, do I need it again now?

Yes. The viruses that cause flu can change every year, which means the flu (and the vaccine) this winter may be different from last winter. New covid variants are emerging and circulating quickly too.

When is the best time to get my jabs?

The best time to have a flu vaccine is in the autumn, from the beginning of October to early November. But don’t worry if you’ve missed this time, you can have the flu jab later in the winter although it’s best to get it as early as possible. The new covid variant is circulating already and NHs england have accelerated the roll out of the vaccine into September. 

Is there anyone who cannot have a flu or covid jab?

Yes. You should not have the flu or covid vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a flu or covid vaccine respectively, or one of its ingredients. This happens very rarely. You also need to take precautions if you have an egg allergy.

Read more about who should not have the flu jab.

Can I get the flu vaccine privately?

People who aren’t eligible for a flu jab on the NHS can pay for a flu vaccination privately. The flu vaccine may be available from pharmacies or in supermarkets. It is provided on a private patient basis and you have to pay. The vaccine costs up to £20.

Why is it recommended that healthcare workers are vaccinated?

Vaccination prevents healthcare workers passing flu or covid on to, or getting flu or covid from, their patients. It also helps the NHS to keep running effectively during a flu or covid outbreak, when GPs and hospital services are particularly busy.

Can I have a flu or covid jab if I’m breastfeeding?

Yes. The vaccine poses no risk to a breastfeeding mother or her baby, or to pregnant women.

Is it OK to have the flu and covid vaccine during pregnancy?

Yes. The flu and covid vaccines are recommended for pregnant women and is safe to have at any stage of pregnancy, including in the first trimester and right up to the expected due date. It helps protect the mother-to-be and her newborn baby from catching flu.

Find out more about the COVID vaccine here

Find out more about the Flu vaccine here