Flu & Shingles

Important Update About Flu Vaccine for Under 65s

There has been a manufacturing delay in the flu vaccine made specifically for those at risk and under 65 years. This is because the World Health Organisation's final recommendation for flu virus strains to include in the vaccine was delayed by 4 weeks.

Overton Park, and other providers who will administer this vaccine, will not receive a delivery until 24th October. We wish to reassure patients that this is not 'too late' to receive the flu vaccine, and that the NHS recommends receiving it from late October through November for best coverage during the 'flu season'.

We thank you for your patience in booking your flub jab with us, and apologise for the inconvenience if we have had to cancel your appointment due to this delay.

Flu Clinics at Overton Park Surgery

The flu immunisation programme is commissioned by NHS England and Public Health England, which make funds available to both GP practices and pharmacies to administer their vaccines.  By receiving your flu jab from Overton Park Surgery, you are directly supporting your Practice.

Please call the surgery on 01242 580 511 during the afternoon to book your flu jab.

Eligible patients in an 'at risk' group will have been invited to receive their flu vaccination with us by text message or letter.  We stagger these invitations so that the phones do not become overwhelmed with requests for flu appointments.

Carers and pregnant women are eligible for flu vaccinations but may not have received an invitation as these lists are dynamic

Due to supply restrictions, we will have all 3 vaccination types (for those at-risk and not being vaccinated at school aged under 18s; at risk and aged 18-65; and anyone over 65) from 26th October.

We will have a limited supply of the nasal vaccine for under 18s from mid-October.  Please see this information poster for more information about which under 18s receive the flu vaccines and from whom.

Flu Vaccination

Flu vaccination is available every year on the NHS to help protect adults and children at risk of flu and its complications.  

Flu can be unpleasant, but if you are otherwise healthy it will usually clear up on its own within a week.

However, flu can be more severe in certain people, such as:

• anyone aged 65 and over
• pregnant women
  
• children and adults with an underlying health condition (such as long-term heart or respiratory disease)
• children and adults with weakened immune systems

Anyone in these risk groups is more likely to develop potentially serious complications of flu, such as pneumonia (a lung infection), so it's recommended that they have a flu vaccine every year to help protect them. We actively invite patients in these risk groups from September 1st, and the 'flu season' ends on March 31st.

It will be indicated on your record if you are eligible for the vaccination, and you will receive an invitation by text message or letter. You will also be offered the jab during the winter unless you tell us you do not wish to have it, which will also be recorded.

When to have a flu jab

The jab provides six to eight months of protection and the best time is before the October-to-early-November flu season. There is no downside to getting vaccinated at any other time, but this is when flu risk is at its peak.

How effective is the flu jab?

The vaccine is effective at reducing the chance of catching flu and at ameliorating the severity of symptoms if you do. However it cannot guarantee 100 per cent protection against the unpredictable influenza virus, which has multiple strains.

NHS facts about the flu and flu vaccine

NHS information about the children's flu vaccine

Shingles Vaccine

A vaccine to prevent shingles, a common, very painful skin disease, is available on the NHS to certain people in their 70s. We strongly recommend that eligible patients receive the vaccine.  They only need to have the vaccination once and can have it at any time of the year (most people find it convenient to have it at the same times as the flu jab).

The following groups are eligible for the vaccine:
 

Aged 70 years. Plus anyone in their 70s who was born after 1 September 1942 and has not yet had the vaccine.

Aged 78 years. Plus anyone aged 79 years old who has missed out on the vaccine

The shingles vaccine is not available on the NHS if you are aged 80 or over because it is less effective in this age group.

Please ring the surgery to book your appointment as soon as possible.