Childhood Immunisations
One of the most important things that a parent can do for their child is to make sure that they have all their routine childhood vaccinations. It’s the most effective way of keeping them protected against infectious diseases.
Ideally, children should have their jabs at the right age to protect them as early as possible and minimise the risk of infection.
Contact us to find out which jabs your child needs, when they need them, and what the benefits of each jab are.
Flu Immunisation
We offer ‘at risk’ groups the flu vaccine at a certain time each year to protect you against the flu virus.
You may be invited for a free flu jab if you are:
- Over 65 years of age
- Pregnant
- A Carer
or have:
- A serious heart or chest complaint, including asthma
- A serious kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
- Ever had a stroke
- A learning disability
Seasonal flu is a highly infectious illness caused by a flu virus. The virus infects your lungs and upper airways, causing a sudden high temperature and general aches and pains. You could also lose your appetite, feel nauseous and have a dry cough. Symptoms can last for up to a week.
Pneumococcal Vaccination
The pneumococcal vaccine (or ‘pneumo jab’ or pneumonia vaccine as it’s also known) protects against pneumococcal infections.
Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and can lead to pneumonia, septicaemia (a kind of blood poisoning) and meningitis.
Who should have the pneumococcal vaccine?
A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. However, some people need the pneumococcal vaccination because they are at higher risk of complications.
These include:
- All children under the age of two
- Adults aged 65 or over
- Children and adults with certain long-term health conditions, such as a serious heart or kidney condition
Read more about who should have the pneumo jab.
How often is the pneumococcal vaccine given?
- Babies receive the pneumococcal vaccine as three separate injections, at 2 months, 4 months and 12-13 months.
- People over-65 only need a single pneumococcal vaccination which will protect for life. It is not given annually like the flu jab.
- People with a long term health condition may need just a single one-off pneumococcal vaccination or five-yearly vaccination depending on their underlying health problem.
Shingles
Shingles is a common and painful skin disease which is like a bad version of the chickenpox. A vaccine to prevent shingles is available on the NHS to people in their 70s. Most people will only need 1 dose, but some people who cannot have the routine vaccine for health reasons will need 2 doses.
The shingles vaccine is expected to reduce your risk of getting shingles. If you do go on to have the disease, your symptoms may be milder and the illness shorter. Once you become eligible for shingles vaccination a GP or practice nurse will offer you the vaccine when you attend the surgery for general reasons.
Travel Vaccinations
The practice does provide certain travel vaccinations. Please ask reception for further information.