Vaccinations

Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases.

Travel Vaccinations

Every year, millions of people from the UK travel overseas for both business and leisure. While we enjoy visiting different countries it is easy to forget that many places do not have the same easy access to medical facilities and treatments as the UK.

Before travelling overseas, it is important to be aware of any possible health risks, plus how to prevent problems, or minimise the chances of them occurring. Most importantly, you should know:

  • how to avoid becoming ill when abroad
  • what to do if you become ill when you are abroad, and
  • how to get emergency medical treatment when you are abroad

Immunisation can protect you against becoming infected with a disease. Many infectious diseases found in countries outside the UK can be prevented with immunisation. You can greatly reduce your risk of contracting these diseases by being immunised against them before you travel.

If you are travelling, you can get a travel vaccination form from reception which you will need to fill out for each person that is going away.

The nurse will check over what vaccinations will be required and you will be asked to call in to collect the information and book an appointment for the vaccinations. There may be a charge for some vaccinations – you will be notified of this prior to the appointment taking place.

Please contact reception for further information on our travel health service.

Childhood Immunisations

Children are given their first immunisation at 8 weeks old by the doctor at the first postnatal appointment.

Clinics for the Immunisations are held on a Wednesday and Thursday afternoon with the nurse, who gives the further 12 and 16 weeks, and again at 12-13 months followed by their last one which is a pre-school booster, given at 3-5 years old.

Please contact reception for further information on this service.

Influenza Vaccinations

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is caused by a virus which spreads easily from person to person through infected droplets in the air and by hands carrying the virus.

The flu virus infects your nose, throat and sometimes your lungs. It differs from a cold as symptoms such as fever, sore throat and muscle aches develop suddenly and last about a week. In some cases severe illness and complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis can develop resulting in hospitalisation and/or death.

Flu can also make some underlying medical conditions worse. There is a need to get vaccinated every year because the viruses circulating in the community continually change and immunity from the vaccine does not last a long time.

Am I entitled to a flu vaccination?

You should be entitled to having a flu vaccination if:

  • you’re 65 or over
  • you’re pregnant
  • you have a serious medical condition (click here for further details)
  • you live in a residential or nursing home
  • you’re the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill
  • you or your child (over 6 months) is in a risk group

Find out more about who should have the flu vaccine.

Yes. Immunity decreases over time and vaccination is needed each year to ensure you continue to be protected. Vaccination is recommended in autumn to allow time for immunity to be strengthened before the flu season starts.
Each year, the flu vaccine will protect against the three strains of flu virus which are most likely to circulate over the winter period. It is important to get it again this year.
Even if you received a flu vaccination towards the end of the last flu season, you should still be vaccinated again before this flu season.

Please note that these are not drop in clinics. You must book an appointment for this service.