Adult Immunisations
Flu Season Directive 2026/27
Protect yourself this winter with the NHS flu vaccination
Flu is a highly infectious virus that can cause serious illness, particularly in older adults, pregnant women, young children, and those with certain health conditions. The flu vaccine is the most effective way to help protect yourself and those around you from flu and its complications. [nhs.uk]
Your flu vaccine is guaranteed
We have carefully ordered flu vaccines specifically for our eligible patient population. This means that if you are eligible to receive your flu vaccination through our practice, a vaccine has been allocated for you and will be available when you attend your appointment.
We encourage eligible patients to have their vaccination with us so that the vaccines we have ordered for our practice population are used to protect our local community.
Who is eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination?
This year, the NHS is offering free flu vaccinations to:
- Patients aged 65 years and over
- Patients aged 16 to 64 years in clinical at-risk groups
- Residents of long-stay care homes
- Carers receiving Carer's Allowance, or those who are the main carer for an older or disabled person
- Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Those who are seriously overweight (BMI of 40 or above)
- Pregnant women
For full eligibility information, please visit the NHS website: [nhs.uk]
When will flu vaccinations be available?
In line with NHS guidance:
- Pregnant women and eligible children can receive their flu vaccination from 1 September 2026.
- Patients aged 65 years and over and patients aged 16 to 64 years in clinical at-risk groups will be invited for vaccination from 1 October 2026.
Booking your appointment
Our flu vaccination appointment book will open on Monday 7 September.
Appointments can be booked by calling the practice after 2.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Patients with a mobile number registered with the practice will also receive a booking link by text message from this date.
Housebound patients
Patients who are registered as housebound do not need to contact the practice. Our paramedic team will arrange home visits for eligible housebound patients to ensure they receive their flu vaccination.
Can the flu vaccine give you flu?
No. The flu vaccine cannot give you flu.
Some people may experience mild side effects, such as a sore arm, headache, or a slight temperature for a day or two after vaccination. These are normal signs that your immune system is responding to the vaccine and are not the same as having flu.
Why is it important to get vaccinated?
The flu vaccine helps to:
- Reduce your risk of catching flu
- Lower your risk of serious illness and hospital admission
- Protect vulnerable family members and friends
- Help reduce pressure on NHS services during the winter months
If you are unsure whether you are eligible for a flu vaccination, please contact the practice and a member of our team will be happy to help.
Autumn/Winter 2026 Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics here at the Surgery for over 75 years of age patients
The NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme will return this autumn to help protect those most at risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.
Although COVID-19 is now generally less severe for most people, it can still cause serious illness, hospitalisation and complications for older adults and people with weakened immune systems. For this reason, the NHS continues to offer seasonal COVID-19 vaccinations to those at greatest risk. [nhs.uk]
Who is eligible for an Autumn 2026 COVID-19 vaccination?
The NHS will offer a COVID-19 vaccination to:
- Adults aged 75 years and over (including those who turn 75 by 31 January 2027)
- Residents in care homes for older adults
- Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed due to a health condition or treatment
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics at Seaside Medical Centre
We are pleased to be offering COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the surgery on the following dates:
- Saturday 3 October
- Tuesday 6 October (Evening Clinic)
- Saturday 10 October
How to Book
If you are aged 75 years or over, please contact the surgery on 01323 725667 after 2.30pm, Monday to Friday, to book your appointment.
To help us plan our clinics, we kindly ask that you contact us before Friday 4 September to secure your appointment.
When you call, our Reception Team will also ask whether you would like to receive your flu vaccination at the same time, where appropriate.
Can I Have My Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations Together?
Yes. If you are eligible for both vaccines, it is safe and convenient to receive your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations during the same appointment.
Why Should I Have the COVID-19 Vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine helps to:
- Reduce your risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
- Lower your chances of hospital admission.
- Boost protection that may have decreased since previous vaccinations.
- Protect against currently circulating variants.
Further Information
For more information about COVID-19 vaccination eligibility, please visit the NHS website:[nhs.uk]
If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccination programme or your eligibility, please contact the Practice Team, who will be happy to help.
Children's Flu Vaccinations 2026 - Appointments Friday 25th September.
Help protect your child from flu this winter with the free NHS flu vaccine.
Flu can be an unpleasant illness for children and can sometimes lead to serious complications, particularly in children with long-term health conditions. Children can also spread flu easily to family members, including babies, grandparents and those with weakened immune systems. The flu vaccine helps protect both your child and those around them. [nhs.uk], [gov.uk]
Who can have a free flu vaccination?
The NHS offers the flu vaccine each year to eligible children, including:
- Children aged 2 and 3 years on 31 August before the vaccination programme starts.
- Children attending primary school.
- Eligible children in secondary school years as determined by the annual NHS programme.
- Children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions.
When will children's flu vaccinations start?
In line with NHS guidance, flu vaccinations for eligible children can be given from 1 September.
Children who are eligible through the school's vaccination programme will usually be contacted directly by the School Immunisation Service.
How is the vaccine given?
Most children receive the flu vaccine as a quick and painless nasal spray, rather than an injection. The nasal spray contains weakened forms of the flu virus that cannot cause flu.
Some children, particularly those with certain medical conditions, may be offered an injected flu vaccine instead.
Can the flu vaccine give my child flu?
No. The flu vaccine cannot give your child flu. The nasal spray contains weakened viruses that help the body build protection against flu but do not cause the illness itself.
Some children may experience mild side effects such as a runny nose, headache or tiredness for a short time after vaccination. These are usually mild and settle quickly.
Why should my child have the flu vaccine?
Having the flu vaccine can help:
- Protect your child from catching flu.
- Reduce the risk of serious illness and hospital admission. Reduce time off school or nursery.
- Help protect vulnerable family members and friends from infection.
For full information about children's flu vaccinations and eligibility, please visit the NHS website:
https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/ [nhs.uk], [gov.uk]
If you are unsure whether your child is eligible, please contact the practice and a member of our team will be happy to help.
Do I Need To Be Protected Against Pneumococcal Infection?
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.
RSV Vaccination Programme 2026
Protect yourself against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV is a common respiratory virus that infects the airways and lungs. While it often causes symptoms similar to a cold, it can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and severe breathing difficulties in older adults, people with weakened immune systems and those with underlying health conditions. [nhs.uk], [gov.uk]
Who is eligible for the RSV vaccine?
The NHS offers a free RSV vaccination to:
- Adults aged 75 years and over
- Residents of care homes for older adults
- Pregnant women from 28 weeks of pregnancy to help protect their baby from RSV during the first few months after birth
- Adults aged 65 to 74 years who have a weakened immune system or certain long-term lung conditions (from September 2026)
Why is the RSV vaccine important?
Older adults and those with certain medical conditions are at increased risk of developing serious illness from RSV infection. RSV can lead to:
- Pneumonia
- Severe chest infections
- Hospital admission
- Worsening of existing heart and lung conditions
- Serious breathing difficulties
How many RSV vaccinations do I need?
For most eligible adults, RSV vaccination is a single-dose vaccine and is not currently given every year like the flu vaccine.
How do I book?
If you are eligible and would like to receive the RSV vaccine, please contact the Practice to arrange an appointment.
Further Information
For more information about RSV and the RSV vaccination programme, please visit:
NHS RSV Vaccine Information
https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/rsv-vaccine/
RSV Guide for Older Adults
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-vaccination-for-older-adults/your-guide-to-the-rsv-vaccine-for-older-adults
If you have any questions about your eligibility, please contact the Practice Team who will be happy to help.
Page created: 22 September 2022