Get Vaccinated – Get Winter Strong

Many people in England have not kept up-to-date with all the free vaccinations available to them. Failing to get properly vaccinated puts you at greater risk of contracting a range of illnesses.

Because of this the NHS has launched a new campaign to encourage patients to get all the vaccinations they’re eligible for, so they’re better able to defend themselves against viruses this winter.

In the case of seasonal vaccinations, it is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or COVID-19 before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.

All those eligible are urged to join the millions of others who have taken up their free vaccines offer to get winter strong – don’t put it off, book your appointment today and arm yourself against the risk of severe illness.

Please take a look at the sections below to find about more about the free vaccinations that you or you family may be entitled to.

Surgery Flu Clinics

It is that time of year that we encourage all our vulnerable patients to have their annual influenza vaccine.

Staying up to date with your vaccinations is important, especially for our elderly patients and those in at risk groups. Children aged 2-3 years and under 18-year-olds at risk are also in need of the protection that the vaccination provides. For more information about protecting your child from Flu please click HERE.

To Find out more about who should have the Flu vaccination and why please take a look at the leaflet below.

The Atherstone Surgery

This year The Atherstone Surgery will be holding the following two flu clinics at the surgery.

• 5^th October – available for patient aged 65 and over only.
• 12^th October – available for patient aged 18-64 in at risk groups.

They will also be holding clinics for the childrens nasal flu vaccinations on the following dates:

School age at risk:

• Monday 30^th October 2:30-5:30

These clinics are by invite only. Invites will be sent out to patients via letter and text, and we request that you bring your proof of invitation to your appointment with you.

If you are part of these groups and have not received a flu invite, please contact The Atherstone Surgery via email at:

[email protected]

Patients who are registered as housebound will be visited at home by a clinician for their vaccination.

If you would like to check your housebound status, please call us on 01827 713664.

Please be aware that vaccination stocks are very limited this year, so it is important to get it done early. We highly recommend that patients attend their offered time slot as vaccinations may not be available at a later date for those not vaccinated in clinic.

Springhill Medical Centre

Springhill will be doing their flu clinics this year primarily as pre-booked clinics. These clinics are by invitation only and texts have already gone out to all Eligible patients.

Children’s nasal flu vaccines, for 2-3 year olds and under 18 years at risk can be pre-booked into any nurse appointment. Please contact the practice.

Station Street Surgery

Station Street Surgery will be holding Flu Clinics for all at risk and over 65yr olds by invitation only. Messages have been sent out to all eligible patients and appointments can be booked via the SMS link or in person.

For those that cannot make these dates some appointments will become available in November.

Nasal Flu’s for 2–3-year-olds will become available throughout October and November with invites being sent Via SMS with booking link or patients can book in person.

Patients who are registered as housebound will be visited at home by a clinician for their vaccination.

They will also be holding Flu clinics at St Nicolas Medical Centre in October and November for all at risk and over 65 years, invites being sent via SMS with booking link, or patients can book in person

2–3-year-olds availability throughout October and November invites being sent Via SMS with booking link or patients can book in person

Covid Vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccination is an important part of protecting yourself if you’re at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

The COVID-19 vaccines are offered because viruses change and protection fades over time. It’s important to top up your protection if you’re eligible.

Millions of people in England can book flu and COVID-19 vaccinations now as the NHS rolls out additional protection for those most at risk ahead of winter.

The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people at increased risk from COVID-19. Eligible people will soon begin receiving invitations from the NHS to get their jabs.

Anyone eligible can book their vaccinations via the NHS website, by downloading the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free if they can’t get online.

You need to book your vaccination before 20 December 2024. For more information on this year’s Covid vaccinations please click HERE to visit the NHS website

The vaccinations, which will be available from 3 October, provide vital protection to keep people from developing serious illnesses and ending up in hospital during busy winter months.

Please be aware that patients booking via the NHS website, App or 119 can book to get their Flu and Covid Vaccine during the same appointment. The Covid vaccine is NOT available from your GP surgery.

RSV Vaccinations

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory illness in the UK but is relatively unknown to the public. It causes hundreds of thousands of infections across the UK each winter in the young and the old, resulting in illness (including pneumonia), admissions and deaths.

The aim of the programme is to reduce the incidence and severity of RSV disease, and hospitalisation as a result of RSV disease, in babies and eligible older adults. This UK-wide vaccination programmes will save lives and significantly reduce the burden on the NHS during the challenging winter months. You can read more HERE on the new vaccination programme in the press release from the Department of Health and Social Care published on 17 July 2024

What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an enveloped RNA virus, in the same family as the human parainfluenza viruses and mumps and measles viruses. RSV is one of the common viruses that cause coughs and colds in winter. RSV is transmitted by large droplets and by secretions from contact with an infected person.

It usually causes a mild self-limiting respiratory infection in adults and children but can be severe in infants and older adults who are at increased risk of acute lower respiratory tract infection. Infants aged less than 6 months frequently develop the most severe disease such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which may result in hospitalisation.

Previous infection by RSV may only confer partial immunity to RSV and so individuals may be infected repeatedly with the same or different strains of RSV. Older adults may become vulnerable to RSV due to age-related decline of parts of their immune system (T-cell immunosenescence)

Transmission of RSV

• RSV is highly communicable, but humans are the only known reservoir.
• The incubation period (time between infection and appearance of symptoms) varies from 2 to 8 days (usually 3 to 5 days).
• The virus is spread from respiratory secretions following close contact with an infected person via respiratory droplets or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
• The virus can survive on surfaces or objects for about 4 to 7 hours.

Treatment and prevention

There is no specific treatment suitable for RSV and treatment is therefore aimed at supporting the patient and relieving symptoms. 

Transmission can be reduced through standard infection control practices such as respiratory hygiene, hand washing with soap and warm water, and cleaning of surfaces. 

Ideally, people with colds should avoid close contact with vulnerable older adults, particularly those with weakened immune systems, and co-morbidities (particularly respiratory and cardiac disease). 

Vaccines have now been developed which have been rigorously tested for safety and efficacy; Abrysvo® RSV vaccine (Pfizer Limited) was introduced into the UK schedule from 1st September 2024.

Vaccination through the routine offer of a single dose at age 75 years and the catch-up programme (of 75 to 79 year-olds) will help protect eligible older adults, particularly if given before winter RSV activity. The RSV vaccine protects for at least two years. Studies are ongoing to see how long it lasts.

RSV Vaccination in Pregnancy

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause lung infections like bronchiolitis, making it difficult for newborn babies to breathe and causing 20,000 infants to need hospital treatment each year.

Pregnant women are eligible for a free respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine to protect their babies from serious lung infections.

You can get your vaccine from 28 weeks of pregnancy. Talk to your GP or maternity service to schedule yours. Read more HERE.

RSV Vaccination in Older Adults

Whilst the burden of RSV is well understood in infants and children, the burden of RSV in older adults is comparatively poorly understood and considered to be underestimated by existing routine surveillance. Only a minority of adult infections are diagnosed as RSV is not widely recognised as a cause of respiratory infections in adults.

RSV has been estimated to account for 175,000 annual GP episodes in those age 65 years and older in the UK. It has been estimated in that in each winter season there are 4,000 deaths due to RSV in those aged over 75 years in England and Wales

Individuals will become eligible on their 75th birthday and remain eligible until aged 79 years and 364 days (that is, up until and including the day before their 80th birthday)

Clinically it is preferable to vaccinate as soon as possible after patients become eligible so that they are protected at the earliest opportunity. For those turning 75 years of age between March and October each year, the vaccine should ideally be given by the end of October before RSV activity increases soon after turning 75 if their birthday falls during the RSV season (November to February).

People aged 75-79 can get a free vaccination to protect themselves from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common lung infection that can lead to serious illnesses like pneumonia.

Read more about the RSV vaccination HERE.

Pertussis/Whooping Cough

Whooping cough (pertussis) cases continue to increase and babies who are too young to start their vaccinations are at greatest risk. It can be serious for babies and may lead to complications resulting in hospitalisation and even death.

Whooping cough is a cyclical disease that peaks every 3 to 5 years. The spread of the cases depends on the populations vaccination rates, especially for those in pregnancy and for young babies.

So far this year there have been over 10,000 confirmed cases of whooping cough in England, with more suspected, with sadly 9 deaths in babies.

• Whooping cough is contagious for up to 3 weeks after the cough starts and children should stay off school for at least three days after antibiotics have started to stop the spread of the infection to classmates.
• Often referred to as the ‘100 day cough’, whooping cough symptoms can last up to 100 days (source).
• In some cases, the whooping cough virus can lead to seizures, pneumonia, breathing difficulties and sore ribs from coughing and in rare cases death.
• Whooping cough can leave children with cause long term health conditions such as brain damage.
• Whooping cough can produce a ‘whoop’ (gasping for breath) sound, which is distinctive to the disease.
• Hospital treatment is usually needed if you have severe whooping cough, or your baby is under 6 months old and has whooping cough.
• One in 12 babies are not up to date with their infant vaccines (8, 12, 16 weeks) and by age one year they had not had these early prevention measures against serious illness from diseases, like whooping cough.

For more information on the Pertussis vaccination please follow the link below to check out the Vaccinations in Pregnancy section of our website.

If you are pregnant, you can help protect your baby by getting the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine. Vaccination during pregnancy boosts your antibodies which are then passed to your baby to help protect them from the day they are born.

You will normally receive your whooping cough vaccine around the time of your mid-pregnancy scan (usually 20 weeks) but you can receive it from 16 weeks. If you have reached 20 weeks of pregnancy and have not yet been offered the whooping cough vaccine, please ask your midwife or GP practice.

Vaccination in pregnancy provides very high levels of protection against serious whooping cough disease to your baby at least until they can have their first vaccine at 8 weeks of age. It is recommended in every pregnancy to boost the antibodies you pass on to your baby.

To give your baby the best protection, you should try and get the vaccine before 32 weeks but if you have missed out you can still have it later. You can even have it after you give birth, to reduce your risk of spreading whooping cough to your baby.

It is also important young children are vaccinated against whooping cough. The 6-in-1 vaccine, which is offered at 8 weeks and 12 weeks, and the 4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccine, which is offered at 3 years 4 months, all protect against whooping cough and other serious childhood diseases.

MMR Vaccinations

‘measles is more than just a rash’. There is no medical ‘treatment’ for measles, only symptomatic relief, and it can be life threatening and / or life limiting.

The uptake figures of the MMR vaccination have been in decline for over ten years with COVID-19 and misinformation exacerbating the problem, with on average at least one in ten children unvaccinated and at risk of becoming seriously unwell.

NHS figures show almost 3 million children under the age of 16 are not fully protected against measles. In some areas this is as high as four in ten children creating the perfect storm for infection to spread.

Throughout 2024 measles has continued to circulate throughout England with the number of people infected increasing month by month. Since January, there have been a total number of 2,278 case confirmed measles in England, with the majority being seen in London and the Midlands. All regions across the country have cases of measles and with schools returning UKHSA are warning that they are predicting a ‘surge’ in measles cases with children having returned to school.

NHSE are launching a national call / recall inviting those not fully vaccinated to come forward to catch up on missed doses of the MMR vaccination. NHS England urges those unprotected against measles to come forward for their vaccinations

Measles cases are continuing to rise across England, with a number of unvaccinated children and adults requiring hospital as infections take hold.

This month, millions of parents and carers in England are being contacted by the NHS to book their children in for their missed measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine as part of a major new campaign to protect children from becoming seriously unwell.

Measles is not just a childhood disease and can be serious at any age. If caught during pregnancy it can be very serious causing stillbirth, miscarriage and low birth weight and NHS bosses are also urging young adults to catch up on any missed doses before thinking about starting a family.

Please note that two doses of the safe and effective MMR vaccine are needed for maximum life-long protection, with the first dose given around the child’s first birthday, and the second dose given at around three years and four months old. However, anyone can catch up at any age on any missed doses, even adults. It’s never too late to protect yourself.

What are the symptoms of Measles?

The initial symptoms of measles develop around 10 days after you’re infected. Please see below for some of the expected symptoms:

The Department for Education published a blog aimed at parents and carers: ‘What to do if you think your child has measles and when to keep them off school’

If you or your child have not had both doses of the MMR vaccine contact the GP surgery to book an appointment as soon as possible and catch up.

Childhood Immunisations

Is your child up to date with their vaccinations? Make sure you check their Red Book or contact your GP practice to find out & book in any missed doses.

We know your child’s health is your top priority – and so protecting them from serious disease is incredibly important. That is why the NHS offers a free childhood vaccine programme, safeguarding your child from certain illnesses. 

The UK’s childhood vaccination programme prevents around 5,000 deaths, and more than 100,000 hospital admissions, each year in England.

NHS England also notes that, since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either now gone or very rarely seen. 

However, in recent years we have seen a trend of lower vaccine uptake, and this has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Sadly, England no longer has the high levels of population immunity recommended by the World Health Organisation for highly infectious diseases like measles to be eliminated (95%), and this has led to increased risk for those who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.

Preventable childhood infections can have a huge impact on a child’s life: they can miss out on education due to time spent unwell, be hospitalised, and have life-long complications such as deafness, blindness, encephalitis (infection of the brain) and paralysis. Sometimes these infections can tragically cause life-long disabilities and even death.

We have already begun to see increased cases of measles and whooping cough, with outbreaks around the country, so there is an urgent need to ensure children are vaccinated and protected against these serious illnesses.

To address falling rates, and ensure children are best protected against preventable diseases, the UKHSA and the NHS launched a national campaign on 4 March 2024 to support efforts to increase uptake of childhood immunisations among children aged 0-5 and highlight the serious risk childhood diseases can pose if children aren’t vaccinated.

NHS England data shows if 95% of children receive the MMR vaccine, this would stop measles spreading completely. Measles, mumps and rubella can quickly spread again if fewer than 90% of people are vaccinated.

Seeing your child get sick is any parent’s worst nightmare, but this can be prevented. Immunisations offer the best protection for children against many common illnesses. Check your child is up to date and contact your GP practice to book any catch up appointments.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines work by causing the body’s immune system to remember the specific infection targeted in each vaccine. Vaccines contain a weakened form or small part of the bacterium or a virus that causes a disease, or tiny amounts of the chemicals that the bacterium produces. 

If your child comes into contact with an infection and they have had their vaccines, your child’s body will recognise that infection and quickly respond to fight off diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough and more.

We understand that you may have questions about vaccine safety and effectiveness. All childhood vaccinations offered by the NHS have been used in millions of children and have an excellent safety record. All health authorities worldwide agree that immunisation is the safest way to protect our children’s health.

If you do have any questions, do not hesitate to speak to your GP or health visitor – they will be happy to address any concerns and guide you through the vaccination schedule.

Vaccine risk versus disease risk: why is vaccine immunity better than natural immunity?

There is no other proven, effective way to protect your child against infectious disease without exposing them to the serious risk of that infection. 

Childhood infections such as measles, whooping cough and meningitis can cause serious illness, hospitalisation and life-long disabilities. Vaccines teach your child’s immune system how to create antibodies that protect them from diseases.

Vaccines teach your child’s immune system how to create antibodies that protect them from diseases. It’s much safer for your child’s immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them. Vaccines mean if your child comes into contact with the infection, the antibodies will recognise it and be ready to protect them.