Why the Flu vaccine matters?

Each year, flu can cause serious illness—especially in vulnerable groups. Getting vaccinated helps:

• Protect individuals at highest risk
• Reduce flu-related hospitalisations and deaths
• Prevent transmission in the community
• Safeguard children and those in care homes
• Flu strains change each year, so a new vaccine is needed annually. This year’s programme runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027.

Who can get the flu vaccine?

From 1 September 2026, the following groups are eligible:

• Pregnant women (to protect themselves and their newborn babies).
• Children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2026
• Children aged 6 months to under 18 in clinical at-risk groups
  All primary and secondary school children (Reception to Year 11)*
  *School-aged children will mainly be vaccinated by the School Immunisation Service, though parents may request vaccination at the surgery if preferred.

From 1 October 2026, the following groups will also be eligible:

• All adults aged 65 and over
• Adults aged 18–64 in clinical risk groups
• Care home residents
• Carers and main care providers
• Close contacts of people who are immunocompromised
• Frontline health and social care workers

Why get vaccinated at the surgery?

Your GP Surgery has your full medical history to check for any allergies or health risks before your free vaccination is given, we can also administer any other vaccinations you may be entitled to. Your vaccination is added directly to your official NHS health records right away and you can then manage and check your vaccination status through the NHS App .

The COVID-19 Autumn booster vaccinations will be available  in October for our patients who are at higher risk from covid.

You may be eligible if you are:

• Aged 75 or over, including anyone turning 75 by 30^th June 2026
• Living in a care home for older adults
• Individuals aged 18 years and over with a weakened immune system (immunosupressed*

*Children aged 5 -17 years old with a weakened immune system can go to the following pharmacies to recieve the vaccination

Everyone aged 65 and over are eligible for the pneumococcal vaccination which will help protect them from the pneumoccocal infection which can cause pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis.

The shingles vaccine helps protect against shingles. It’s available on the NHS for all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 18 and over with a severely weakened immune system.

Shingles is a common condition that causes a painful rash. It can sometimes lead to serious problems such as long-lasting pain, hearing loss or blindness.

You’re more likely to get shingles, and it’s more likely to cause serious problems, as you get older or if you have a severely weakened immune system.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds. RSV infections usually get better by themselves, but can sometimes be serious for babies and older adults.

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