Vaccinations

Meningitis ACWY vaccine is being offered to all 14 - 24 year olds who have not previously had this vaccination at school . It protects against meningitis (inflammation of the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning) caused by meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y.

It is very important that 17 and 18 year olds take up the vaccine. It is being offered in response to a rapidly growing increase in cases of a highly aggressive strain of meningococcal disease group W. This disease can cause meningitis and septicaemia that can kill in hours, and those who recover may be left severely disabled. The vaccine also protects against three other meningococcal groups too – A, C and Y.

Going to University?

If you’re planning to go to university, please make an appointment as soon as possible before leaving for university. You are at more risk of meningitis and septicaemia in the first weeks at university when you mix with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria, which is usually spread through prolonged close contact.

If you decide not to have the vaccination please call 01494 782262 to let us know and we will enter this onto your medical records.

In accordance with Department of Health guidelines:

If you are 65 years of age or older we recommend:

• an annual influenza vaccination, and
• a single one-off pneumonia vaccination

If you are aged under 65 in the risk groups shown below we recommend:

• an annual influenza vaccination, and
• a single one-off pneumonia vaccination

Under - 65 at Risk Groups

Chronic Heart Disease

Chronic Respiratory Disease (COPD & some asthma patients)

Diabetes

Chronic Kidney Disease (stages 3-5)

Chronic Liver Disease

Chronic Neurological Disease

Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment (+ carers/family members living with the patient)

Obese (BMI =/>40)

Pregnant women (at any stage)

Long stay residential care (residential/nursing homes)

Carers

Child Nasal Flu Vaccination

The children's flu vaccine is provided in the form of a nasal spray that is easily and painlessly administered.

There are 2 elements to the children’s flu immunisation programme:

• a routine offer of vaccination to all 2 - 3 year old children by your GP
• a routine offer of vaccination at school for 4 to 10 year old children 

If you have not heard from the surgery and your child falls into the above age groups (2-3 years), and you would like your child to be vaccinated, please contact the surgery.

Shingles (herpes zoster) is an infection related to reactivation of the chickenpox virus. Many of us will have had chickenpox when we were young. Shingles isn’t like other infectious diseases because you cannot catch it from someone else. It can however be very painful if you are unfortunate to develop it.

There is a vaccine that can reduce your risk of getting shingles or reduce the severity of its symptoms should you develop the disease. To check your eligibility for this go to:

Shingles vaccine