Vaccination Information
Winter Vaccination Update for patients
Cold weather can be hard on our health, so it’s really important we take steps to look after ourselves and each other during the winter months. Both flu and Covid-19 are serious illnesses and it is important to protect yourself against them this winter, by having both your Covid-19 and flu vaccinations. They will offer you the best protection this winter.
Both flu and Covid-19 are serious illnesses and it is important to protect yourself against them this winter, by having both your Covid-19 and flu vaccinations. They will offer you the best protection this winter.
Scroll down for information about Winter Flu and Autumn COVID-19 booster eligibiltiy and how to book appointments.
Winter 2023 Flu Vaccination Information for Patients - updated 20th September 2023
It’s time to book your flu vaccination.
The NHS have advised that the following patients are eligible for a free flu vaccination between September 2023-March 2024:
- patients 65 and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2024)
- patients who have certain health conditions
- patients who are pregnant
- patients in long-stay residential care
- Patients who receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- Patients who live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
We have clinics planned on the following dates:
Saturday 7th October – Lyme Regis Medical Centre/ Charmouth – patients over 65 years old
Saturday 14th October - Lyme Regis Medical Centre – patients over 65 years old
Saturday 28th October – patients aged 18-64 years old in ‘at risk’ categories.
If you are unable to make any of the above dates, we will also have some appointments available during the week at both sites. If you are eligible, we will be sending invites but you can also contact the Practice on 01297 445777 to book an appointment. Any housebound or care home patients will be contacted by the vaccination team.
We have slots remaining for our Winter Flu Vaccination Clinics in October. To keep you and the community safe, please contact us to book an appointment as soon as possible.
For further information about flu and why it is important to have a flu vaccine, please visit the NHS website by following this link>>
Covid Autumn Booster Vaccine Information for patients - updated 20th September 2023
We are unable to offer a COVID-19 booster vaccination, but can share the following information for our patients:
The Autumn COVID booster programme has commenced.
The following people are eligible for an Autumn COVID booster:
- Residents in care homes for older adults
- All adults aged 65 years and over
- People aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the Covid-19 chapter of the UKHSA Green Book on Immunisation
- frontline health and social care workers.
- People aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression, as defined in the UKHSA Green Book
- People aged 16 to 64 years who are carers, as defined in the UKHSA Green Book, and staff working in care homes for older adults
This is because the risk of severe COVID continues to be strongly associated with increasing age and underlying health conditions.
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT US AS WE ARE UNABLE TO BOOK APPOINTMENTS FOR COVID-19 BOOSTER VACCINATIONS FOR PATIENTS OF THE PRACTICE.
You can call 119 free of charge to book over the phone if you cannot book online.
The national booking system (NBS) for vaccinations is now open for COVID booster vaccination booking requests, and anyone who is eligible is encouraged to book. Follow this link to the NHS National Booking Service>>
Childhood Immunisation
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:>>
Travel Vaccinations
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:>>
Shingles Vaccinations
Prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease.
A vaccine to prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease. There is a vaccine to help protect you from the pain of shingles.is available on the NHS to people in their 70s. 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.
You're eligible for the shingles vaccine if you are aged 70 to 79 years old. The shingles vaccine is not available on the NHS to anyone aged 80 and over because it seems to be less effective in this age group. For more information visit the Shingles vaccine overview page on the NHS website:>>.
Pneumococcal vaccine for over 65s
Protection against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections.
A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. But some people such as adults aged 65 or over are at higher risk of serious illness.
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections. It's also known as the pneumonia vaccine.
Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and can lead to pneumonia, blood poisoning (sepsis) and meningitis.
People aged 65 and over only need a single pneumococcal vaccination. This vaccine is not given annually like the flu jab. For more information visit the Pneumococcal vaccine overview page on the NHS website:>>
Men ACWY Vaccination
A rare but life-threatening disease caused by meningococcal bacteria.
Meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) is a rare but life-threatening disease caused by meningococcal bacteria.
Older teenagers and new university students are at higher risk of infection because many of them mix closely with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria at the back of their nose and throat.
"Fresher" students going to university for the first time should make sure they've had the MenACWY vaccine to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, which can be deadly. The MenACWY vaccine is also routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10.
Anyone born on or after 1 September 1996 who was eligible but missed their teenage MenACWY vaccine can still have the vaccine up to their 25th birthday. For more information visit the MenACWY vaccine overview page on the NHS website:>>.