Vaccinations

Yes. If you are aged 65 years or over or you are at higher risk

Who is at risk?

• If you are aged 65 years or over or if you are on regular inhaled steroids
• If you have a chronic respiratory disease (including asthma)
• If you have chronic heart disease
• If you have chronic renal disease
• If you are diabetic
• If you have a weak immune system
• If you live in a long-stay residential or nursing home
• If you have a chronic liver disease
• If you are a carer

Every year during the months of October and November the practice runs an influenza campaign aimed primarily at all patients over the age of 65 and all patients who fall into the above categories regardless of their age.

Everybody aged 65 and over should now be immunised to help protect them against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis. Please phone the surgery during September to make an appointment if the above applies to you.

Everyone should have a tetanus immunisation. A course of three injections (normally given in infancy) followed by two booster doses ten years apart gives protection. A booster is then only needed after a penetrating injury. For those patients whose jobs put them at risk can have a hepatitis B immunisation. Contact the surgery for consultation with one of our practice nurses if required or in doubt.