Flu & Covid-19 Booster Vaccination Programme 2023-24
As autumn approaches in the coming months, now is the time to start thinking about getting the annual flu jab. This year, the free jab will be offered to more people amidst concerns around the still-present Covid-19.
The NHS flu programme in England typically offers the flu vaccine to those over the age of 65, pregnant women and those with existing health conditions or weakened immune systems. These groups will remain a high priority this year, while the programme will also be extended to reach out to more people.
In a typical winter, flu is one of the biggest health concerns for many older and vulnerable people. With the additional threat of coronavirus this year, the public are being advised to take extra care to avoid both diseases. The government hopes for as many people as possible to receive the flu jab to reduce the risk of caregivers and healthcare workers coming under immense pressure.
Flu and Covid-19 Booster Clinics 2023-24
We will be holding Flu and Covid-19 booster clinics over the next few months and if you are eligible to have it done this winter, we will send you an invitation with a self-book link to book your appointment. You can also check with our reception team if you are eligible patients this year by calling us on 0203 006 2741.
Please wear a face covering and respect social distancing rules. Please do not attend the clinic if you have any of the COVID-19 or Flu symptoms.
Our Flu and Covid-19 booster clinics will be run in both locations, main site and the new site at Mapleton Crescent so please check carefully when you check-in for your appointment.
The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to people who:
- All children aged 2 to 3 years on 31 August 2023
- Those aged from 6 months to less than 65 years of age in a clinical risk group such as those with:
- Chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as asthma (requires continuous or repeated use of inhaled or systemic steroids or with previous exacerbations requiring hospital admission), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis
- Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- Chronic kidney disease at stage 3, 4 or 5 o chronic liver disease
- Chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease
- Learning disability
- Diabetes
- Splenic dysfunction or asplenia
- A weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment)
- Morbid obesity (defined as BMI of 40 and above)
- All pregnant women (including those women who become pregnant during the influenza season)
- Household contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- People living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities
- Those who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or who are the main carer of an older or disabled person
- Frontline health or social care workers
Flu vaccination is important because:
- More people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it
- If you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you’re more likely to be seriously ill
- Getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses
- If you’ve had COVID-19, it’s safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu
The COVID-19 booster vaccine is given for free on the NHS to people who:
- aged 65 years and older, residents in care homes, those aged 5 years and over in a clinical risk group (we offer a Covid-19 booster to patients aged 18 and 64 years old at-risk group in the surgery)
As with a flu invitation, you will also receive an invitation for a Covid-19 booster with a self-book link to book your appointment. You can also book an appointment on the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/book-covid-booster or by phoning 119, or you can visit a walk-in vaccination site without an appointment – see www.nhs.uk/vaccine-walk-in.
External websites for further information: