IMPORTANT: FLU VACCINATIONS WILL CONTINUE DURING LOCKDOWN.
Changes have been made to make sure it's safe for you to have the flu vaccine at
GP surgeries and pharmacies.
These changes include social distancing, hand washing and wearing protective equipment. We need to keep everyone safe and ask that you wear a face covering when you attend the GP practice unless you have a health or disability reason for not wearing one.
It is important to go to your appointments unless you or someone you live with
Due to high demand for the flu vaccine and measures we are taking to keep you
safe, there may be some delays getting a vaccination appointment.
This page provides more information about when you should expect to be contacted about getting a vaccination appointment.
Find out more about who should have the flu vaccine and why in English and
FLU VACCINE AND CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
The flu vaccine is safe and effective. It Is offered FREE, to certain groups of people
every year to help protect those at risk of flu and its complications.
Play this game to find out more about the flu vaccine.
Find out about the children's flu vaccine
Getting your flu vaccine this year is important because:
if you're at higher risk from coronavirus, you're also more at risk of problems
from flu
if you get flu and coronavirus at the same time, research shows you're more
likely to be seriously ill
If you've had COVID-19, it's safe to have the flu vaccine. It'll be effective at
helping to prevent flu.
WHY AM I BEING ASKED TO WAIT TO HAVE MY FLU VACCINE?
Find out more about the 2020 flu vaccination programme.
WHEN SHOULD I EXPECT TO BE CONTACTED ABOUT A FLU VACCINATION?
ADULTS
Age 65 and over
WHEN SHOULD I BE CONTACTED?
You should have been contacted already, but if you have not been please contact
reception on 01702 333298.
DO I NEED TO BOOK?
YES – Please contact reception on 01702 333298 to book an appointment
Some community pharmacies are offering flu vaccination to adults at risk from flu.
If you have your flu vaccine at a pharmacy, you do not have to inform us. It's up to the pharmacist to do that.
More information: Click here for large print information
Vulnerable groups (aged from six months - 64 years of age) with the following
conditions*:
A list of conditions can be found here
WHEN SHOULD I BE CONTACTED?
You should have been contacted already, but if you have not been please contact
reception on 01702 333298
DO I NEED TO BOOK?
YES – Please contact reception on 01702 333298 to book an appointment
More information:
If you or the person you care for has a learning disability and they have a fear of
needles, please speak to us and we can look at alternatives.
Find out information on flu vaccine and cancer treatment click here
Find out information about flu vaccination and Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative
Find out more in this EasyRead guide to having your flu vaccination during the
coronavirus pandemic.
Find out more about the flu vaccine in pregnancy.
Shielding households
Members of a household where an individual is on the NHS Shielded Patient List, or
individuals who expect to share living accommodation with a shielded patient on
most days over the winter
WHEN SHOULD I BE CONTACTED?
You should have been contacted already, but if you have not been please contact
reception on 01702 333298
DO I NEED TO BOOK?
YES – Please contact reception on 01702 333298 to book an appointment
Carers
Individuals who receive a carer’s allowance, or who are the main carer of an older or
disabled person
WHEN SHOULD I BE CONTACTED?
If you are known to the practice as being a career, you should have been contacted
already, but if you have not please contact reception on 01702 333298 to book an
appointment
DO I NEED TO BOOK?
YES – Please contact reception on 01702 333298 to book an appointment
Health & social care staff
Staff directly involved in the care of vulnerable patients / residents / clients who are at increased risk from exposure to influenza, including:
registered residential care
nursing home or registered domiciliary care provider employees
voluntary managed hospice provider employees
health and social care workers employed through Direct Payments (personal budgets) and/or Personal Health Budgets, such as Personal Assistants
Employers are responsible for vaccinating frontline healthcare staff and any social care workers not included in the above definition.
WHEN SHOULD I BE CONTACTED?
You should have been contacted already, but if you have not been please contact
reception on 01702 333298
DO I NEED TO BOOK?
YES – Please contact reception on 01702 333298 to book an appointment
People aged 50 to 64 who do not have a chronic long-term condition
For 50 to 64 year olds, who do not have a health condition that puts them at risk from flu, you will be offered the vaccine later on and should wait to be invited for a vaccination.
CHILDREN - 2 and 3 year olds
You can have your NHS flu vaccine at:
your GP surgery
or through your hospital midwifery service if they offer it for pregnant women
More information in English and other languages: Find out more information
about protecting your child from the flu
WHEN SHOULD I BE CONTACTED?
You should have been contacted already, but if you have not been please contact
reception on 01702 333298
DO I NEED TO BOOK?
YES – Please contact reception on 01702 333298 to book an appointment
Children age 4-11
The Childhood Vaccination Programme is open to all school age children and young people in Reception, Year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 who attend schools in Southend, Thurrock and Essex:
If your child is not currently attending a school in Essex, Southend or Thurrock or has
missed their flu appointment at school they can be booked into community clinics – please see below information.
If you live in and around Southend, Rayleigh, Canvey, please call 01702 220181 or email
epunft.SE-Immunisations@nhs.net
If you live in and around the Basildon and Brentwood or Thurrock area, please call 01375
364663 or email epunft.sw-Immunisations@nhs.net
If you live in and around the Chelmsford area, please call 01376 302769 or email epunft.Mid-Immunisations@nhs.net
More in formation: Find out more information about protecting your child from
EGG ALLERGIES
You can still get a flu vaccine if you have an egg allergy.
For children, the LAIV vaccine (nasal spray) is safe for children with an egg allergy, but
those that have previously been admitted to intensive care for severe anaphylaxis to egg
should be vaccinated in a hospital. The nasal spray is also less likely to cause whole-body reactions than an injected vaccine.
For adults there are a number of vaccines with low egg contents that are safe to use, and a vaccine that is not grown in eggs that has no egg contents. Speak to your GP or pharmacist to identify the right vaccine for you.