Update:
Our flu-clinics on the 18th and 25th of September will need to be rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances!
On 3/9/21 we received an email from the supplier that the (guaranteed) delivery of vaccines will be delayed by 1-2 weeks. We will update you as soon as we know more.
Can you believe how fast this year is going?
We are already in August, nearing the end of the month. Before we know it, it will be September. And with that, the start of the Flu vaccination season.
Like other practices, we are getting ready for this too. Last year, we held 4 walk-in clinics. We will have 2 (longer) walk-in clinics this year for our eligible patients only. If you are registered at a different surgery, we cannot give you your flu vaccination. You will need to contact your own doctor’s surgery for this.
Who is eligible?
- All children aged two and three on 31 August 2020 (born before 1 September 2016 and on or after 31 August 2018) can receive the nasal flu vaccine in General Practice.
- All primary school-aged children can receive the nasal flu vaccine in the school-based program.
- All those aged 6 months-65 years old in a Clinical Risk Group:
- Long-term chronic severe respiratory disease (COPD, very severe asthma or bronchitis)
- Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- Chronic kidney disease stage 3, 4 or 5
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, or learning disability
- Diabetes
- Splenic dysfunction or absence of spleen
- Weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment)
- Morbidly obese (those with a BMI of over 40)
- All pregnant women.
- All those 65 and over, including those becoming 65 years by the 31st of March 2021.
- All those in residential long-stay homes or other long-stay care facilities (not including prisons, young offender institutions, university halls, boarding schools).
- All carers (those in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those registered as carer).
- All close contacts of immuno-compromised people.
- Those aged 50-64 years old, subject to vaccine supply, and following prioritisation of other eligible groups.
Flu clinics at Grimethorpe Surgery this year.
Just like last year, COVID will bring extra challenges to delivering a successful flu campaign this year.
Social distancing remains important and we will, therefore, need to limit the footfall in our health centres.
Mask wearing on the premises remains mandatory.
The Saturday Flu clinics will be walk-in only, no appointments. Patients will be asked to socially distanced queue outside. You will only be allowed in one at a time (or in exceptions, two). We will apply a one-way system during the clinics.
Due to the need to socially distance, we will only have one or two clinicians vaccinating our patients at the same time. This will mean a slower turn-around.
Please, help us by wearing clothing suited to having your flu jab. No thick layers, short sleeves if possible. When you enter the waiting area, please already remove your coat and bare your arm in readiness for the injection.
We apologise, but we will not have time to deal with any other matters. You will not be able to put in or request a repeat prescription, you will not be able to have a leisurely chat with your neighbour, the nurse, the receptionist, or the doctor. We are unable to deal with any other matters than providing you with the flu jab during the flu clinic.
Our Saturday Flu Clinics:
Unable to attend during the Saturday flu clinics? If you are attending the surgery for another reason (blood test, blood pressure check, diabetic check, etc), you can also request the flu jab then. Please, let the receptionist know at the time of the booking and be aware you will only be given the flu jab if you are eligible at that time (and the flu jabs are in stock).
