Flu Clinics
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Flu clinics started in September 2018 and are scheduled to run for three months. If you have not yet booked an appointment please book one soon.
Letters and text messages will be sent to eligible patients who may be at greater risk of the complications of flu.
Appointments can be booked in the following 3 ways:
Letters and text messages will be sent to eligible patients who may be at greater risk of the complications of flu.
Appointments can be booked in the following 3 ways:
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- Telephone Our dedicated Flu Appointments Lines
07955 499 542 (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm)
07935 244 817 (Monday to Friday 5pm – 8pm)
- In Person by visiting any of our 4 sites at Foxhole, Park, Wheal Northey or Carlyon Road Health Hub.
Carers are also eligible for the free flu vaccination (as the welfare of the person they care for may be at risk if the carer falls ill). If there is someone you rely upon to care for you, we suggest they contact their own GP practice to ask for a free flu vaccination.
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Flu Clinics
We now have flu clinics available for all ages, including children. The appointments can be booked as above. Please speak to our reception team if you need assistance with booking.
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For 2018, there are 3 types of flu vaccine:
If your child is aged between 6 months and 2 years old and is in a high-risk group for flu, they will be offered an injected flu vaccine as the nasal spray is not licensed for children under 2.
- 2 to 17 year olds - nasal spray. A live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), given as a nasal spray. This is for children and young people aged 2 to 17 years eligible for the flu vaccine.
- 18 - 64 year olds - a quadrivalent injected vaccine (QIV). This is for adults aged 18 and over but below the age of 65 who are at increased risk from flu because of a long-term health condition and for children 6 months and above in an eligible group who cannot receive the live vaccine.
- 65 years and over - a trivalent injected vaccine (aTIV). This is an adjuvanted trivalent flu vaccine, which is recommended as the most effective vaccine for this age group. It is only licensed for aged 65 and over, but if you are 64 and will turn 65 by 31/03/2019 you can be given this vaccine.
If your child is aged between 6 months and 2 years old and is in a high-risk group for flu, they will be offered an injected flu vaccine as the nasal spray is not licensed for children under 2.
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Who should have the flu jab? The injected flu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to people who are at risk. This is to ensure they are protected against catching flu and developing serious complications. You are eligible to receive a free flu jab if you:
Find out more... Housebound and Care Homes Housebound patients should receive a letter advising of when flu vaccination home visits will take place in October. We will also be visiting the care homes to vaccinate the residents. Please contact reception if you have any queries regarding this. |
At Risk Groups All patients over 65 Asthma BMI 40 or over (Obesity) Carer Chronic Bronchitis Chronic Heart Disease (CHD) Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Chronic Liver Disease COPD Currently pregnant Diabetes Epilepsy Heart failure Hepatitis Immunosupressed Learning Disability Neurological Disorders Multiple Sclerosis Parkinsons Disease Sickle Cell Spleen Disorder or Splenectomy Stroke Patients who live with someone who is immunosupressed can also be vaccinated. |
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Frequently asked questions
What is flu?
Flu is a highly infectious disease. The symptoms, that come on very quickly, include fever, chills, headaches, aches and pains in the joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness. For most healthy people, a bad bout of flu is worse than a heavy cold usually requiring someone to spend a few days in bed. However, serious infections, especially in those with underlying health conditions, although less common, can lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability and even death.
Flu is a highly infectious disease. The symptoms, that come on very quickly, include fever, chills, headaches, aches and pains in the joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness. For most healthy people, a bad bout of flu is worse than a heavy cold usually requiring someone to spend a few days in bed. However, serious infections, especially in those with underlying health conditions, although less common, can lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability and even death.
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Why are there different vaccines for different age groups? For the 2018-19 winter season the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that:
These vaccine recommendations are based on the available clinical evidence and deemed by the JCVI to be in the best interests of patients. For patients aged 65 years and over, aTIV is highly effective and contains two strains of Influenza A and one strain of Influenza B . The vaccine contains an ‘adjuvant’ that increases the body’s immune response to a vaccine which leads to greater protection. The vaccine is designed to work much more effectively than the trivalent vaccine used last year. The QIV recommended for patients aged 18-65 in at-risk groups contains a further flu strain of Influenza B which more commonly affects younger people. Using this vaccine will provide much wider protection for this cohort of patients. What causes flu? Flu is caused by viruses that are spread from person to person. They infect the respiratory system, where they can lead to pneumonia and other complications. The viruses are constantly changing and this is one of the main reasons why people should be vaccinated annually. How can I avoid catching flu? It’s quite hard to avoid because people may be able to pass the virus on to others a day or so before symptoms start to show (as well as up to seven days after), so they won’t know if they are spreading the virus or not. So it’s very hard to avoid contact with people infected with the flu virus. And, of course, members of your family can always bring it into the home. You can also wash your hands regularly but this won’t stop you catching the disease by breathing in the infected droplets in the air. So the best way to help avoid getting flu is by having the vaccination. Why do underlying health conditions or pregnancy make it more serious for someone who gets flu? You are at particular risk of severe illness if you get flu and have an underlying health condition, or are pregnant. This means that you are more likely to be admitted to hospital or on rare occasions be admitted to intensive care and even potentially die. When is too late to have a flu vaccine? Flu usually starts from December onwards, although it can be earlier. Vaccination is recommended for all eligible patient groups between September and December. Vaccination can be given later in the flu season, particularly if a patient is newly at risk, such as a pregnant woman who was not pregnant at the start of the vaccination period. |
How is flu spread? Flu is spread by coughs and sneezes that propel infected droplets of saliva or nasal secretions into the air which are then breathed in by others. The disease is also spread by people touching surfaces that the droplets have landed on and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. This is why frequent hand washing or using an antiseptic hand rub is so important during the winter flu season. Why is flu more serious for me if I am an older person? The risk of serious illness from flu and consequent hospitalisation and death is higher among those aged 65 years and older as they are more likely to have an underlying health problem and the immune system does not work as well. The best way for people at risk from flu to protect themselves is to get the flu vaccine. I am over 65. Can I have the quadrivalent vaccine (QIV)? The adjuvanted trivalent vaccine (aTIV) is recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations for this age group as giving the best protection against the flu. It is better to have the aTIV if you are aged 65 or older. I am under 65. Can I have the adjuncted trivalent vaccine (aTIV)? The aTIV is only licensed for use in people aged 65 years and older. The only exception to this is 64 year olds who will turn 65 by 31st March 2019, who can be given the aTIV. Will I be completely protected by the vaccination? By having the vaccination you will be significantly reducing your risk of getting flu but no vaccine offers 100% protection. Will I get any side effects? There are some fairly common but mild side effects. Some people get a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days afterwards, and your arm may feel a bit sore where you were injected. Any other reactions are very rare. Serious side effects in children are uncommon but many develop a runny or blocked nose, headache, general tiredness and some loss of appetite that lasts for a short period. I had the flu vaccination last year. Do I need another one this year? Yes, the flu vaccine for this winter provides protection against some different strains of flu from last year’s. For this reason we strongly recommend that even if you were vaccinated last year, you should be vaccinated again this year. Where can I get more information? Speak to your GP practice or visit the flu pages on the NHS website at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.aspx |
If you choose not to have the 2018/19 Seasonal Flu Vaccination please let us know by completing the below form. You will then not receive a further invitation this year.
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