Please see the below from the Rycote Practice:
We are encouraging our eligible patients to have a free influenza vaccination and a Covid booster vaccination this autumn. Both of these viruses can be extremely serious for some patients and getting vaccinated can help to reduce the chance of becoming seriously unwell. Being vaccinated also helps to ensure that you don’t pass these viruses on to vulnerable friends and relatives. We are already starting to see early signs of another Covid wave and the number of cases of flu is expected to be very high this winter due to restricted mixing over the past two years.
The Rycote Practice will be holding Flu and Covid booster vaccination clinics on the following dates:
Wednesday 12th October 13:30 – 16:30 – over 65s ONLY
Saturday 15th October 08:30 – 12:30
Saturday 22nd October 08:30 – 12:30
Saturday 5th November 08:30 – 12:30
Tuesday 15th November 13:30 – 16:30
Appointments have been made available to book online (via Patient Access or the NHS App) but please ensure that you book into the right slot for you. If there is not an appropriate slot showing or you do not have online access, please call the practice on 01844 267935. Only book an appointment if you have received a telephone call or text message inviting you to do so. Thank you.
We intend to give the Covid booster and influenza vaccination together wherever possible. This has been extensively tested and proved to be safe and effective. We are only able to offer the Covid vaccine that is supplied by NHS England. We expect this to be the Moderna Spikevax Bivalent Covid vaccine. In order to receive this you must have had your primary course (first two covid vaccinations) and it must have been at least 3 months since your previous Covid booster. If you have had Covid 19, you must be at least 28 days clear before you have the Covid booster.
We are aware that some patients have already received their Covid booster at other vaccination sites and will be offering a limited number of appointments for the flu vaccination only. You are eligible for a free flu and Covid vaccination if you meet the following criteria:
- aged 50 years old and over (including those aged 50 by 31 March 2022)
- have certain health conditions which increase your risk of becoming seriously unwell
- live with someone who is immunocompromised
- are pregnant
- receive a carer’s allowance or are the main carer of an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
You can get the flu vaccine at your GP surgery or a pharmacy, if you’re a health or social care worker employed by a registered residential care or nursing home, a registered homecare organisation or a hospice.
You can read more about the flu vaccination here The flu vaccination: who should have it and why - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
You can read more about the autumn Covid booster her A guide to the COVID-19 autumn booster - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
During vaccination clinics we will expect patients to wear a mask whist attending for their vaccination as clinics will include some extremely vulnerable patients. We also ask that you wear short sleeved clothing under an outer garment and arrive as near as possible to your appointment time so that we can keep waiting times to a minimum. We expect vaccination clinics to be extremely busy so we ask you not to bring your car if you are able to get the surgery by other means. Thank you.
