Flu Vaccinations
Each Autumn we hold a series of special clinics to provide immunisation against Influenza (Flu).
In 2020 the influenza vaccinations used at Towcester Medical Centre are Flucelvax and Flublok. There is no choice available to patients – vaccines are used according to batch and date received. Information leaflets for each of these vaccines are available below:
Flucelvax Tetra Influenza Vaccine Information Leaflet 2020
Flublok Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine Information Leaflet 2020
Flu is a viral infection which strikes mainly during the winter months. Flu is highly infectious, the symptoms start to develop over one to three days, with the first signs being a headache, a sore throat, aching muscles, fever, shivering and complete exhaustion.
Despite popular belief, the flu vaccine cannot give you flu as it doesn’t contain the active virus needed to do this. It’s simple and quick to have and rarely causes problems.
After you have had the vaccination it takes three weeks for your body to become immune to Flu, so it is important you book the appointment at the begining of autumn.
The flu virus constantly changes, so you need to have a new flu jab every year.
Free immunisations for flu are available to the following:-
* Everyone over 65
* Those with Diabetes
* Those with Asthma who are on a steroid
* Those with a Respiratory Disease such as COPD
* Those with Kidney Problems
* Those with Heart related problems
* Those who are ‘carers’ of the elderly and infirm
* Those who are pregnant
* Those with a low immunity- people with asplenia or splenic dysfunction, have HIV, undergoing chemotherapy or are on steroid treatments leading to a suppressed immune system.
If you fall into one of these risk groups it is important that you are protected; please take advantage of this annual free injection.
Please telephone the surgery or watch our notice boards for information on when clinics are being held.
Immunisations against Pneumonia are also available for free for patients that meet the above criteria.
Shingles Vaccinations
Unlike the flu vaccination Shingles is not seasonal and is only given once.
The NHS offers anyone aged 70 the shingles vaccine. You become eligible for the vaccine from the first day of September after your 70th birthday.
From September 1 2016, the shingles vaccine will be offered routinely to people aged 70 and as a catch up to those aged 78. You become eligible for the vaccine on the first day of September 2016 after you’ve turned 70 or 78.
In addition, anyone who was eligible for immunisation in the previous three years of the programme but missed out on their shingles vaccination remains eligible until their 80th birthday. This includes:
- people aged 71, 72 and 73 on September 1 2016
- people aged 79 on September 1 2016
For more information about shingles you can visit www.shinglesaware.co.uk
For more information about NHS Vaccines you can visit NHS Vaccinations
