The 'flu' season begins around October time. Flu is a very contagious infection, which can cause serious illness among people aged over 65 years, or those of any age with particular medical conditions. Levels of 'flu' infection rise during the winter months. The best way to protect yourself against 'flu' is by having the 'flu' jab every year.

The following groups come in to have their flu jab:

• Patients aged 65 & over
• Patients aged 18--‐64 in at risk group
• Pregnant women
• People living in long stay residential homes
• People in receipt of a carers allowance or main carer of an older or disabled person.
• Household contact of immunocompromised individuals
• All those at risk who are between 17 and 18 years of age
• People aged 2-17 where Fluenz is contra-indicated or refused
• Front line healthcare workers
• NHSE staff
• PHE staff

Everybody aged 65 and over should now be immunised to help protect them against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis. Please phone the surgery during September to make an appointment if the above applies to you.

The RSV vaccine is recommended if:

• you're pregnant (from 28 weeks of pregnancy) – this will help protect your baby for the first few months after they're born
• you're aged 75 to 79

The vaccine helps reduce the risk of RSV causing serious problems such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

If you're aged 75 to 79, your GP surgery will contact you about getting vaccinated.

If you're 28 weeks pregnant or more, you can speak to your maternity service or GP surgery about getting vaccinated.

We are currently offering vaccinations please contact the practice and asked to be booked with the nurse.