Our Winter 2024/25 Vaccination Programme

We are pleased to confirm that the Practice has now been approved to administer COVID vaccines from Lyme Regis Medical Centre from 3rd October.  We will be offering our patients appointments to receive a Flu vaccine and COVID vaccine at one appointment in this season's clinics, or if patients prefer, just the flu jab.

Our scheduled clinics are: 

Saturday 5th October – under 65’s

Saturday 12th October – over 65’s

Saturday 26th October – over 65’s

Saturday 2nd November – over 65’s

Eligible patients will be sent a booking link, or they can call the surgery now to book an appointment. 

Please note that we plan to offer a further Saturday clinic in November for anyone who can’t make any of the above sessions – date to be confirmed.

We can offer flu only appointments during the week, however the COVID vaccine can only be delivered on the above dates as we can’t store the vaccine on site.

Please scroll down for more information on eligibility. 

Flu Vaccinations

Flu vaccination is important because, while flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and even life-threatening for some people, particularly those with certain health conditions.  That’s why people at increased risk from flu are strongly encouraged to have their free NHS winter flu vaccination every year.

Who is eligible?

We offer Winter Flu Vaccinations for registered patients who are:

• Aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
• Aged 18-64 years of age considered at risk (meet eligibility criteria outlined by the NHS*)
• Live with someone more likely to get a severe infection due to a health condition or weakened immune system
• Pregnant
• Receive a carer's allowance or are the primary carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk
• Frontline health workers and social care workers who cannot get the vaccine through an occupational health scheme at work.

 * To establish if you are in an at-risk group, please download NHS Flu Risk Group information by following this link>>

COVID Vaccinations

As we move into autumn, protection from any earlier COVID-19 vaccination you may have had will be starting to wane. For those who are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, the NHS offers a free vaccine in the autumn, previously known as the ‘Autumn Booster’.

The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine.

It protects against 3 serious illnesses:

• measles
• mumps
• rubella (german measles)

These highly infectious conditions can easily spread between unvaccinated people.  In particular, measles is one of the world’s most infectious diseases with estimates showing that one infected adult or child can pass the disease onto around 15 other unvaccinated people.

Getting vaccinated is important, as these conditions can also lead to serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.

2 doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella.

Follow this link to visit the NHS website for information on how to check if you or your child has measles>>

Childhood immunisation is an important aspect of your child's healthcare.  For information on routine childhood immunisation, please visit our Children's Health page by following this link:>>

Foreign travel may expose patients to certain infections.  So, If you're planning to travel outside the UK, find out what vaccinations you might need on our Travel Health page by following this link:>>

The eligibility for a free NHS Shingles vaccine changed from the 1st of September 2023

The Shingles vaccine helps protect you from shingles, a common, painful skin disease.

Previously, you could only have the shingles vaccine between the ages of 70 and 79. However anyone turning 65 on or after the 1^st of September 2023 is able to get the vaccine after their birthday.

Please note that if you have your 65th birthday before the 1st of September 2023, you will have to wait until you are 70 to become eligible.  Eligibility will then be expanded to include everyone aged 60 and over by September 2033.

Follow this link to download and view the NHS Shingles Vaccination expansion programme schedule for information on when your age group will become eligible>>

From September, the shingles vaccine will also be available to those aged 50 or over with a severely weakened immune system.  Immunocompromised individuals who have already received 2 doses of their Shingles Vaccine do not need re-vaccination.

You do not need to get in touch with us to request a shingles vaccine as patients are contacted  when they become eligible.  However if you are eligible and think you may have missed your vaccine, please contact us>>

The shingles vaccine is given as a single injection into the upper arm. Unlike the flu jab, you’ll only need to have the vaccination once, and you can have it at any time of the year.  

For more information visit the Shingles vaccine overview page on the NHS website>>

Protection against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections.

A rare but life-threatening disease caused by meningococcal bacteria.