Flu Campaign 2020

This year it is more important than ever to get yourself vaccinated against flu. This year brings new challenges as to how we can safely manage our drop-in clinic whilst keeping patients safe from the risks of Covid-19, via social distancing and other measures. More information about the flu vaccine is available on the NHS Website.

Who is eligible for a free annual NHS Flu Vaccination?

Adults over 65 years old
People with certain medical conditions (including children in at-risk groups from 6 months of age)
Pregnant women
Children aged 2 and 3 on 31st August 2020
Children in primary school (predominantly vaccinated by the school nurses)
Frontline health or social care workers
Shielded patients and their households
Patients over 50 from 1st December

All eligible patients will receive an invitation letter, text or call from the surgery. These are scheduled to go out to patients throughout September. If you do not receive an invitation as expected by October, please contact the surgery to confirm your eligibility.

How are we vaccinating patients this year?

As in previous years, we will host a combination of drop-in clinics and pre-booked appointments. In order to manage these safely in the context of Covid-19 we will have to be more prescriptive as to when patients should attend for their vaccination, especially as our vaccine delivery dates dictate when we can vaccinate each group of patients.

Drop-in clinics

Our drop in clinics will be by invitation only. All patients who are eligible will receive a letter informing them which clinic to attend, and at what time. Patients MUST bring this letter with them when attending for the vaccination. Not only does this confirm your eligibility, but it also allows for efficient recording of the vaccination for our staff. Anyone without a letter will be turned away.

Patients will be invited to one of a drop in clinics at the Surgery.

~~Patients over 65 - Saturday 3rd October 2020 - 9am - 5pm. Invitations will be split into 30 minute time blocks to spread attendees equally throughout the day.~~

~~At-risk Patients under 65 - Saturday 7th November - 9am - 1pm. Invitations will be split into 30 minute time blocks to spread attendees equally throughout the day.~~

Patients 50 - Provisionally scheduled for Sat 12th December (Subject to successful vaccine delivery). Will be confirmed via letter in early December.

Your invitation letter will confirm your allocated time block as well as instructions and reassurance about the steps we are taking in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pre-booked appointments

We will be inviting some groups of patients to book an appointment, rather than attend a drop in.

Children, patients on anticoagulants and those who have been previously instructed to Shield, will be invited to book an appointment online (must be registered - please book an appointment with the staff member named 'Flu Clinic') or over the phone.

Patients who are unable to attend their specified drop-in session will also be able book an appointment. We will be checking eligibility for all booked appointments, so we may contact you beforehand to confirm why you are entitled to the flu jab.

Appointments will be available throughout October, November & December (& possibly beyond). As we approach the end of the campaign we will operate a waiting list so we can monitor demand and order suitable quantities of additional vaccine and avoid any wastage.

Precautions against Covid-19

Whether you attend a drop-in session or booked appointment, we will be following strict infection prevention & control procedures and asking patients to socially distance. If attending a drop-in surgery there will be attendants in the car park helping patients queue safely. No matter how many people attend at once, social distancing will be maintained inside and outside of the surgery.

The clinician administering your flu jab will keep contact to a minimum and all staff will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitising regularly. Vaccinations will be given whilst you are standing if possible, and regrettably there will not be much opportunity for conversation. Please don't expect any queries not relating to the vaccination to be answered.

Weather permitting we may be able to offer patients the opportunity to be vaccinated without entering the surgery, although this will always be an option to maintain privacy - we would like patients to have the option.

To help us we ask that patients:

Do not attend if they are unwell with Covid-19 symptoms - Call us for an alternative date
Bring their invitation letter with them when they attend for their vaccination
Attend during their allocated time slot.
Follow the social distancing guides and pathway though the surgery as directed by a member of the team upon arrival.
Dress appropriately for the weather, but please wear a vest or T-shirt so that a shoulder is readily available for vaccination.
Wear a face covering if you are able to do so.
Come alone if possible (unless attending with someone who is also receiving the vaccination.)

Vaccinating over 50s

This year the government has announced an expansion of the flu programme to include patients over 50.

We have ordered flu vaccinations for this cohort of patients, and are expecting deliver in the first week of December. Once these are safely at the Surgery we will contact patients with details of the clinic we will be hosting in mid-December.

Declining the flu vaccination

Whilst we would recommend that all eligible patients are vaccinated, if you wish to decline this year please let us know by completing this online form.