Flu Clinics 2020
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***Flu clinic update***
We have been delivering flu vaccinations since early September this year and have vaccinated 9,359 people so far (as of 15th December 2020). This has been a huge effort during Covid restrictions.
Our attention is now been taken by the huge task of delivering Covid vaccinations to the people of St Austell. Therefore, we have decided to pause further flu vaccination clinics until further notice. Patients that are eligible but have not taken up the opportunity of a flu jab will be contacted directly when capacity allows in the new year.
Thank you for your continued support.
We have been delivering flu vaccinations since early September this year and have vaccinated 9,359 people so far (as of 15th December 2020). This has been a huge effort during Covid restrictions.
Our attention is now been taken by the huge task of delivering Covid vaccinations to the people of St Austell. Therefore, we have decided to pause further flu vaccination clinics until further notice. Patients that are eligible but have not taken up the opportunity of a flu jab will be contacted directly when capacity allows in the new year.
Thank you for your continued support.
Flu vaccinations for 50-64 year olds
We will contact eligible patients directly when there is a flu clinic. If you have been contacted, you can book an appointment in the following ways:
Please do not call the main switchboard about flu appointments, as we need to keep this line free for patients with urgent medical problems.
Some important points to note:
· Please don’t attend if you feel unwell or you have a temperature, new persistent cough, flu like symptoms or new loss of sense of smell or taste. You should book a Covid test if you have symptoms (via the NHS website or by calling 119).
· Please wear a face covering at all times.
· Please wear loose fitting clothing in order to provide easy access to your upper arm, this will save valuable time.
· The vaccination we have is egg free (Flublok), so it is fine if you have an egg allergy.
· You should remain onsite/in your car for 10 minutes after your jab to observe for any severe adverse reactions, even though they are very rare. Let a member of staff know immediately if you do not feel well so you can be attended to: sound your horn and flash your lights!
The patient information leaflet for this vaccine is available online: https://mhraproducts4853.blob.core.windows.net/docs/flublokv1. You may notice that Flublok vaccine does not have a UK marketing authorisation but has been authorised for temporary supply in the UK by the MHRA (Medicines Health Regulatory Authority). It has been licensed and used in the USA since 2013. Our vaccines have come via the Department of Health and Social Care and will be used in accordance with national guidance.
For more information on flu vaccines please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
We will contact eligible patients directly when there is a flu clinic. If you have been contacted, you can book an appointment in the following ways:
- Online via SystmOnline or the NHS App.
- Telephone 07562 079 485 (Monday-Friday 10am-6pm) or 07853 266 073 (Monday-Friday 10am-5pm)
- Email: reception.sahc@nhs.net
Please do not call the main switchboard about flu appointments, as we need to keep this line free for patients with urgent medical problems.
Some important points to note:
· Please don’t attend if you feel unwell or you have a temperature, new persistent cough, flu like symptoms or new loss of sense of smell or taste. You should book a Covid test if you have symptoms (via the NHS website or by calling 119).
· Please wear a face covering at all times.
· Please wear loose fitting clothing in order to provide easy access to your upper arm, this will save valuable time.
· The vaccination we have is egg free (Flublok), so it is fine if you have an egg allergy.
· You should remain onsite/in your car for 10 minutes after your jab to observe for any severe adverse reactions, even though they are very rare. Let a member of staff know immediately if you do not feel well so you can be attended to: sound your horn and flash your lights!
The patient information leaflet for this vaccine is available online: https://mhraproducts4853.blob.core.windows.net/docs/flublokv1. You may notice that Flublok vaccine does not have a UK marketing authorisation but has been authorised for temporary supply in the UK by the MHRA (Medicines Health Regulatory Authority). It has been licensed and used in the USA since 2013. Our vaccines have come via the Department of Health and Social Care and will be used in accordance with national guidance.
For more information on flu vaccines please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
Some groups of patients are invited for the flu vaccine because they may be more susceptible to the effects of flu.
Flu FAQs
I am in one of the listed groups. Why am I being asked to wait to have my flu vaccine?
Overall there is no shortage of flu vaccine with enough ordered to vaccinate 30 million people. However, it is usual for manufacturers to stagger deliveries of vaccine so you may have to wait to receive your vaccination.
When the first deliveries arrive in September, vaccinations begin to be offered and these continue throughout the autumn. This season, early demand for flu vaccine has been higher than usual due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. This means that some GP practices and pharmacies will have to ask people to wait until they receive further deliveries.
Can I go elsewhere if my GP practice or pharmacy has run out?
If you are eligible for the free flu vaccine, you may get it either from your GP practice or a pharmacy offering NHS flu vaccinations. This means that if one of them does not currently have stock in, you can try elsewhere. They should also be able to tell you when they expect their next deliveries.
Pregnant women can ask their maternity provider for the free flu vaccine and some of those visiting hospitals, either as in- or out-patients may also be offered the flu vaccine there.
Why are some people still being offered the vaccine and not others?
There are several types of flu vaccines available. You will be offered one that is recommended for you based on your age. This means some people will be offered a flu vaccine that is in stock while others, who need a different type of vaccine, may have to wait.
Wouldn’t it be better to have any type of flu vaccine rather than wait?
Providers of flu vaccination services are required to offer the vaccine that is most effective for you. It is better to wait to get the right vaccine so that you get the most benefit from it.
When do you need to have a flu vaccination for it to offer protection?
It is best to have the vaccine before flu starts to circulate, which is usually from December onwards. But if it is later in the year than this, it is still worth having.
The priority this season is to vaccinate those who are most at risk from flu first, including anyone aged 50 to 64 years old who has a health condition that makes them more at risk from flu. Other healthy 50 to 64 year olds will be offered the vaccine later in the season when additional supply becomes available.
What should I do now?
If you can’t have your flu vaccine now, you will receive a letter notifying you when you can book an appointment at your GP surgery or pharmacy. Or you can stay in touch with them and book one at the next opportunity.
I am in one of the listed groups. Why am I being asked to wait to have my flu vaccine?
Overall there is no shortage of flu vaccine with enough ordered to vaccinate 30 million people. However, it is usual for manufacturers to stagger deliveries of vaccine so you may have to wait to receive your vaccination.
When the first deliveries arrive in September, vaccinations begin to be offered and these continue throughout the autumn. This season, early demand for flu vaccine has been higher than usual due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. This means that some GP practices and pharmacies will have to ask people to wait until they receive further deliveries.
Can I go elsewhere if my GP practice or pharmacy has run out?
If you are eligible for the free flu vaccine, you may get it either from your GP practice or a pharmacy offering NHS flu vaccinations. This means that if one of them does not currently have stock in, you can try elsewhere. They should also be able to tell you when they expect their next deliveries.
Pregnant women can ask their maternity provider for the free flu vaccine and some of those visiting hospitals, either as in- or out-patients may also be offered the flu vaccine there.
Why are some people still being offered the vaccine and not others?
There are several types of flu vaccines available. You will be offered one that is recommended for you based on your age. This means some people will be offered a flu vaccine that is in stock while others, who need a different type of vaccine, may have to wait.
Wouldn’t it be better to have any type of flu vaccine rather than wait?
Providers of flu vaccination services are required to offer the vaccine that is most effective for you. It is better to wait to get the right vaccine so that you get the most benefit from it.
When do you need to have a flu vaccination for it to offer protection?
It is best to have the vaccine before flu starts to circulate, which is usually from December onwards. But if it is later in the year than this, it is still worth having.
The priority this season is to vaccinate those who are most at risk from flu first, including anyone aged 50 to 64 years old who has a health condition that makes them more at risk from flu. Other healthy 50 to 64 year olds will be offered the vaccine later in the season when additional supply becomes available.
What should I do now?
If you can’t have your flu vaccine now, you will receive a letter notifying you when you can book an appointment at your GP surgery or pharmacy. Or you can stay in touch with them and book one at the next opportunity.
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If you choose not to have the 2020/21 Seasonal Flu Vaccination please let us know by completing the below form.
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