Over 65’s Flu Vaccine 2023
FLU VACCINES are available annually to those most at risk of severe illness from flu!
If you are over 65 years old, you can book your seasonal flu vaccination from Saturday 5th August.
- By using the NHS app at https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-app/ this is our preferred option please
- Online with Patient access via the practice website at https://www.wistariaandmilford.nhs.uk/
- Call the Practice on 01590 672212/643022. Please remember our phone lines are very busy first thing in the morning so kindly help us by ringing later in the day.
How will I know about flu this year?
Please see our website or visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WistariaMilford
You can read about the vaccine given to those who are aged 65 or older here Fluad-6m-Patient-Brochure-DIGITAL-USAaQIV220069.pdf (flu360.com)
If you have not given permission for us to e mail our regular news, then please e mail address via our practice e mail hiowicb-hsi.wistariapractice@nhs.net and we can add this to your records.
When do flu jabs start? We will be running two large clinics for the over 65’s on
Saturday 23rd September at Milford & Sunday 1st October at Wistaria
If I am under 65? We will send you a link to book your appointment for those patients who are at risk, there will be weekend appointments and early evenings ones for those who are working.
Please be aware some patients who were eligible during COVID years may not be eligible this season unless you are in one of the following at risk groups.
The below groups will be eligible for a flu vaccine from 1 September 2023:
- those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups to include,
- chronic renal disease
- chronic heart disease
- chronic respiratory diseases, includes some patients with asthma
- chronic liver disease
- diabetes
- immunosuppression
- chronic neurological disease
- Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen
- Adults with a body mass index >40
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
- primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline workers in a social care setting
What happens if I am under 65 and am not in the list above?
Anyone can have a flu jab to protect themselves, if you are under 65 and not at risk this is still a benefit to you, your family, and the community. Please see your local pharmacy who will administer a flu vaccine at around £15. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to provide and charge our patients for this service.
Further information about this year’s vaccine we are giving to the under 65s at the surgery is here FCX-6m-Patient-Brochure-Digital-USAQIVc220121.pdf (flu360.com)
Children aged 2 – 3 years, parents & guardians will be contacted once we have the nasal flu available.
When is the NHS flu vaccine available? The best time to have a flu vaccine is in the autumn, starting from the beginning of September/October.
You can arrange an appointment with your GP, or for pregnant women, your midwife may offer the jab.
Seasonal flu is typically seen in the UK between November and March; however, outbreaks can be seen as early as October and as late as May so getting the jab earlier is advised. Having a flu vaccine doesn’t just protect yourself but helps to protect your friends, family and the wider community, from flu.
I hope this information is helpful; we will update you as we have more news.
Jan Lamont, Practice Manager