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
- Covid Vaccinations
- RSV Vaccinations
- Pertussis/Whooping Cough
- MMR Vaccinations
- Childhood Immunisations
It is that time of year that we encourage all our vulnerable patients to have their annual influenza vaccine.
Flu is a highly infectious illness that spreads rapidly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are carrying the virus.
Flu Symptoms can hit suddenly and severely. They usually include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles. You can often get a cough and sore throat. Because flu is caused by a virus and not bacteria, antibiotics won’t treat it.
The flu can be serious for certain groups, including individuals aged 65 and older, those with serious medical conditions, pregnant women, and young children. Staying up to date with vaccinations is crucial for these at-risk groups, including children aged 2-3 years and under 18. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself and others from the virus.
Therefore, the NHS offers free vaccinations to all those ‘At Risk’ patients.
Further information on the flu virus and the benefits of receiving a vaccination are available HERE.
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.
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Flu can be a horrible illness in young children. The flu vaccine helps protect them and stops the virus spreading among family and friends.
You can book your 2 or 3-year-old's flu vaccine at their GP surgery now.
www.nhs.uk/child-flu
To Find out more about who should have the Flu vaccination and why please take a look at the leaflet below.
NHS Flu Vaccination Leaflet (PDF, 4.18MB)
The Atherstone Surgery
This year The Atherstone Surgery will be holding the following two flu clinics at the surgery.
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Saturday 4th of October between 8:30am – 12pm and 1pm-4pm for patients aged 65 and over.
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Saturday 11th of October between 8:30am – 12pm and 1pm-2pm for patients aged 18-64 who are in at-risk groups.
All messages have been sent for 1st invites for nasal flu and under 18’s at risk. There are still appointments on 02/10/25, please contact the surgery to book. There will be a catch-up clinic offered at a later date for those unable to attend the original clinics.
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:
atherstonesurgery1@nhs.net
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 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.
These will be held on:
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1st October
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2nd October
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6th October
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8th October
If you feel that you are eligible and have not received a flu invite, please contact Springhill via email at:
cwicb.springhillmc@nhs.net
or via phone on:
01676 540395
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. Self-invite messages will be sent out to all eligible patients, and appointments can be booked via the SMS link or in person.
If you have not yet received your message, you can call the reception team and make a booking now, as appointment availability is now live.
Flu clinics will be arranged throughout the months of October and November.
Nasal Flu’s for 2–3-year-olds will also 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.
To speak with the practice regarding Flu vaccinations please call on:
01827 718631
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
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Vaccinations are our best protection.
Last winter, 190,000 people in England were hospitalised due to COVID-19 or flu. Millions of people are being offered vaccination to help protect them over the coming months.
Who can get vaccinated?
You can get free flu and COVID-19 vaccines this winter if you:
- are 65 or over
- have a certain health condition
- are pregnant
- are a frontline health or care professional
- are an unpaid carer
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
Children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023 and school aged children (from Reception to Year 11) can also get the flu vaccine.
www.nhs.uk/seasonalvaccinations
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5 reasons to vaccinate your child.
- Protect your child
The vaccine will help protect your child against flu and serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia
- Protect you, your family and friends
Vaccinating your child will help protect more vulnerable friends and family
- No injection needed
The nasal spray is painless and easy to have
- It's better than having flu
The nasal spray helps protect against flu, has been given to millions of children worldwide and has an excellent safety record
- Avoid costs
If your child gets flu, you may have to take time off work or arrange alternative childcare
Most children have the nasal spray vaccine which is the preferred vaccine. A vaccine injection is also available which does not contain gelatine from pigs (porcine gelatin).
For more information visit www.nhs.uk/child-flu
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.
You are eligible and may be offered a COVID-19 vaccine if you:
- Are aged 65 or over
- Are pregnant
- Are aged 6 months to 64 years and have an increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 because of a health condition or treatment
- Live in a care home for older adults
- The Government has also decided that, as in previous years, the COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be offered to frontline health and social care staff, with staff in older adult care homes being offered the COVID-19 jab.
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 visit the NHS website here.
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.
The RSV vaccination protects against serious illness from the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can be particularly severe in vulnerable populations. In the UK, the vaccine is offered to pregnant women and adults aged 75 and older.
Pregnant women receive the vaccine during their third trimester, allowing them to pass beneficial antibodies to their babies, providing protection during their first few months of life. For older adults, the vaccine is crucial due to their higher risk of severe complications from RSV.
By enhancing the immune response and increasing antibody production, the vaccination helps prevent infection or reduce its severity, ultimately contributing to better public health outcomes and fewer hospitalizations related to RSV.
For more information, please visit the relevant section of our website below.
The Pertussis (Whooping Cough) vaccination provides protection against the highly infectious bacterial disease known as whooping cough (pertussis). This combination vaccine is administered to pregnant women to safeguard their babies from birth until the babies are old enough to receive their own vaccinations. It is also included in the routine childhood immunization schedule for infants and children. The vaccine is a non-live, inactivated form, meaning it cannot cause the illness it is designed to prevent.
For more information, please visit the relevant section of our website below.
The MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine is a combination shot that offers long-lasting protection against three viral infections by prompting the immune system to produce antibodies. For full and effective protection, it requires two doses. The vaccine is recommended for children as part of the national NHS schedule, but it is also available for adults who were not vaccinated previously. It contains weakened versions of the viruses and is administered as a single injection into the arm or thigh.
For more information, please visit the relevant section of our website below.
Childhood immunizations are crucial for protecting children from severe and life-threatening diseases. They stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies, allowing the body to fight infections without the dangers of natural disease exposure.
Vaccinating children also helps achieve "herd immunity," which protects vulnerable community members, such as infants and those with weakened immune systems, by minimizing disease spread. The routine immunization schedule is designed to provide timely protection against diseases like measles and whooping cough. Importantly, these safe and effective vaccines are offered free of charge by the National Health Service (NHS), ensuring accessibility for all families and promoting overall community health.
For more information, please visit the relevant section of our website below.