This year our over-18 flu clinic will be running on Saturday 16th September 2023 at both Abbey Lane and Totley Rise sites. If you are unable to make the Saturday clinic, please contact the practice so we can find a date/time that works for you.
Please read through the information below before booking your vaccine:
Can I get my Covid vaccine at the same time?
The NHS has brought forward its official rollout date for Covid vaccines for most patients to 18th September 2023, and we hope to begin inviting our patients from this date. We may have to send invitations in priority order of risk (as per previous years). Flu vaccine can be given on the same day as the Covid vaccine, subject to availability of the flu vaccine.
Which flu vaccines will be offered this year?
Like previous years, there will be two different vaccines:
- Seqirus Adjuvanted Quadrivalent: for all patients age 65yrs and over, or who will turn 65 by 1st April 2024.
- Sequirus Cell-based Quadrivalent: for those patients aged 18-64yrs who are clinically at risk due to a long-term condition.
Who is eligible?
We will contact patients who are eligible. Eligibility criteria is available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine.
If you think you are eligible but have not been contacted, please let the practice know by phoning Reception or using our online enquiry form available here: www.beauchiefmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/navigator/ask-the-reception-a-question.
Please note that 50-64yr old patients without a recognised long-term condition are no longer eligible for a free flu jab in the 2023/24 season.
What about children?
Eligible children aged 2-18yrs will require the nasal flu vaccine, which is more effective in that age group. Please do not book children into the weekend clinic as we will not be offering nasal flu vaccines on that day.
School-aged children will usually be vaccinated at school. For all children aged 2-3yrs, as well as children with a clinical condition aged 0-2yrs and 16-17yrs, we will be in touch in due course. You can check if your child is eligible for a flu vaccine by visiting: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine.
If you think your child is eligible but have not been contacted by 1st October, please let the practice know by phoning Reception or using our online enquiry form available here: www.beauchiefmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/navigator/ask-the-reception-a-question.
What if I have an allergy?
If you have had an allergy or severe reaction to a previous vaccine, please do not book a vaccine appointment. You should contact the practice first for further advice.
Egg protein and aminoglycoside antibioticds are used in the manufacture of the Seqirus adjuvanted over-65yrs vaccine. If you are age 65yrs (or will turn 65 by April 1st 2024) and have had an allergy to egg or to aminoglycoside antibiotics (eg kanamycin, neomycin, amikacin, gentamicin, streptomycin, tobramycin), please DO NOT book a vaccine appointment. Please contact the practice first for further advice.
Is the vaccine suitable for strict vegetarians and vegans?
Egg protein and fish oil are used in the manufacture of the Seqirus adjuvanted over-65yrs vaccine. They are not used for the manufacture of the Seqirus cell-based under-65yrs vaccine, which is generally considered suitable for strict vegetarians and vegans.
Please note that the adjuvanted vaccine is expected to be more effective in the over-65yrs age group and we would generally recommend our patients have the appropriate vaccine for their age. If you feel extenuating circumstances apply, please contact the practice prior to booking your vaccine using the online form: www.beauchiefmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/navigator/ask-the-reception-a-question.
How to book your appointment
- Via the booking link if we have sent you one.
- Via the SystmOnline website or app if you have previously registered for this. Make sure you select the correct clinic: ‘Over 65’ includes patients aged 64 but will turn 65yrs by 1st April 2024.
- By sending a message via the practice website stating which site you would like the vaccine and whether you would prefer a morning or afternoon appointment. Reception will do their best to accommodate your preference. Once the appointment has been booked you will be sent an SMS confirmation. The practice website contact form is here: www.beauchiefmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/navigator/ask-the-reception-a-question
- By phoning the practice but please note, this can block the lines for patients needing to ring regarding urgent medical matters, so please use options 1 to 3 above where possible.
On the day, there are a few things everyone can do to keep the service running smoothly
- Wear clothing that is easy to remove and have your preferred arm out ready for the clinician to administer the vaccine.
- Avoid bringing children where possible.
- Please be sensible and considerate of others, some of whom may be immunosuppressed or clinically vulnerable. Use the hand gel provided when entering the building. Face masks are currently at patients’ discretion, but we would advise our vulnerable patients to wear them.
- Please do not attend the flu clinic if you have a fever (temperature over 37.5oC) or are taking antibiotics for a current infection. Please contact Reception to cancel and rearrange.