We are committed to preventative medicine. Several dangerous infections can be avoided by keeping immunity up to date. This is achieved by vaccinations, which take a few seconds but give protection for many years. We strongly advise all patients to make sure that they and their children all have their immunisations up to date, according to the following schedule and that they keep their own records.
Children
The children’s immunisation clinic is run jointly by health visitors, doctors and the nurses by appointment. Please let us know in advance if you cannot attend an immunisation appointment on 01494 434344.
The established immunisations as detailed below will be given at the times shown.
Two months old: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Hib, Hep B and Pneumococcal Infection and Rotavirus, Meningitis B
Three months old: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Hib, Hep B and Rotavirus
Four months old: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Hib, Hep B and Pneumococcal Infection, Meningitis B
Around 12 to 13 months: Hib, Meningitis C, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Pneumococcal Infection and Meningitis B
Three years four months to five years old: Pre-school Booster – Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough and Polio Measles, Mumps and Rubella
13 to 18 years: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio and Meningitis AWCY. Completed by School immunisation team.
Adults
Diphtheria and Tetanus Booster
Required every 10 years, to a maximum of five doses. If you have never had a full course of tetanus immunisation please make an appointment now with the practice nurse.
Polio Booster
A polio booster is required every 10 years for travel and will be given with combined diphtheria and tetanus.
Pneumovax Immunisation
Anyone who suffers from chronic heart, lung, kidney, liver problems, diabetes, has had their spleen removed or is over 65 years of age should be vaccinated. This is a single vaccination against one form of pneumonia and lasts for at least 10 years.
Shingles Vaccine
A vaccine to prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease is available on the NHS to people in their 70s. The shingles vaccine is given as a single injection into the upper arm. Unlike the flu jab, you’ll only need to have the vaccination once and you can have it at any time of the year.
Please click for more information on Shingles and the vaccination
Flu Vaccinations (Adults)
These are held every September – December, so we advise patients to book up in September. We recommend flu vaccination for:
- Anyone over 65 years old and all patients with:
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Heart disease
- A history of stroke
- Diabetes
- Liver or kidney disease
- Most chronic debilitating illnesses, as well as for those living in residential homes or taking drugs to suppress the immune system or have had their spleen removed.
- Pregnant women
- Main carers of elderly or disabled people whose welfare may be at risk if the Carer falls ill.
Flu Vaccination for Children
A programme started in September 2013 to offer Fluenz® nasal flu vaccine to children starting with children aged 2 to 3 years on 1 September 2013. The programme was extended to all pre-school and primary school children in 2014, and from 2015 all children aged between 2 and 16 years will be offered the nasal flu vaccine. One dose of vaccine will be given.
Fluenz® nasal flu vaccine will also be offered to children aged 2 up to 17 years in clinical risk groups (e.g. children using steroid inhalers for asthma, children with diabetes), as it has been shown to provide a higher level of protection for children than the injected inactivated influenza vaccine. One dose of Fluenz® vaccine annually will be given to children in this group who have previously been given influenza vaccination. Children in a clinical risk group who have never had a flu vaccination will be given two doses of Fluenz® at least four weeks apart and after that will have one dose annually.
The only exception where Fluenz® cannot be administered is when he child has previously required Admission to an intensive care unit for severe anaphylaxis to egg, which then will need referral to a specialist to be administered under a hospital environment.
Fluenz® is a live vaccine so it cannot be given to children who are immune-suppressed or those with an immuno-compromised family member.