Wilmslow Health Centre ordered its supply of ‘flu jabs in October 2019. Supplies of vaccines are limited this year as outlined below.
Different types of ‘flu jab are requires for different age groups of patients.
Over 65s Vaccine
All patients over 65 should be vaccinated and we received supply of this vaccine on 2nd September and vaccinated approx. 1200 patient on Saturday 5th September.
Please book an appointment with reception now if you are over 65 years of age and haven’ yet had a ‘flu jab.
Under 65s Vaccine for At-Risk Groups
This is a different vaccine to that used in the over 65s population. It should be administered to all patients who are in “at-risk” groups under the age of 65 years. At risks groups include:
- chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma (that requires an inhaled or tablet steroid treatment, or has led to hospital admission in the past), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
- chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
- chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or cerebral palsy
- a learning disability
- diabetes
- problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
- a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
- being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above)
This list of conditions is not definitive. It’s always an issue of clinical judgement.
A GP can assess you to take into account the risk of flu making any underlying illness you may have worse, as well as your risk of serious illness from flu itself.
The vaccine should always be offered in such cases, even if you’re not technically in one of the risk groups.
If you live with someone who has a weakened immune system, or they’re on the NHS shielded patient list, you may also be advised to have a flu vaccine.
GOV.UK also provides Easy Read guides to flu vaccination for people with a learning disability.
Despite Wilmslow Health Centre ordering supplies of this vaccine in October 2019, there have been delays in delivering these vaccines to GP surgeries. We have been advised that these deliveries will be due at the end of September. Eligible patients will be invited to attend vaccination clinics via letter or SMS text as soon as supplies are received.
50 to 65-year-olds not in At Risk groups
Later in the year, the flu vaccine may be given to 50-64-year-old patients. More information will be available later in the autumn. The government haven’t given any further clarification as to when GP surgeries will receive their supplies of such vaccine that is coming from the government directly. As soon as clarification or supplies are received, we will be inviting patients into ‘flu clinics by letter or SMS text.
Flu vaccine for children
The flu vaccine is free on the NHS for:
- children over the age of 6 months with a long-term health condition
- children aged 2 and 3 years on 31 August 2020 (that is, born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2018)
- children in primary school
- children in year 7 (secondary school)
Children eligible for the flu vaccine aged between 2 and 17 will usually have the nasal spray flu vaccine. Wilmslow Health Centre ordered these vaccines last year and they are now in stock with children’s’ ‘flu clinics scheduled already in the weeks to come.
