Vaccinations & Immunisations

These are usually carried out by a practice nurses by appointment.  They fall into four general categories: Children, Adult and Travel.

In general we will contact you when further vaccination or immunisation protection is recommended (except where travel related) but please do not hesitate to contact the practice for an appointment if you consider that you need additional protection.

From time to time situations may develop or new vaccinations become available that may make additional vaccinations desirable.  Typically these will get media attention.  We will endeavour to provide information for patients on the Notice Board and Medical News pages of this website under News, together with posters on the practice noticeboard.

If you have any questions about vaccinations or immunisation please contact reception in the first instance.  If necessary, they will arrange for you to speak with one of the nurses or doctors.  

For more information on schedule of immunisations please see the NHS Vaccinations and When to Have Them.

Updated:  03/04/2025

The practice will contact a parents of children regarding the recommended programme of immunisation and vaccinations for all children up to the age of 18.

Babies that are due immunisations will be invited to attend and will be given an appointment time.

While the practice is sympathetic to the views of a number of parents regarding some vaccinations and will endeavour to accommodate the wishes of parents as far as possible it is the professional view of all doctors in the practice that the benefits of the recommended programme of immunisation and vaccinations for children far outweigh any potential risk.

Influenza

Children aged two and three will be given the vaccination in the Practice, usually by a Practice Nurse. Children who are four years old are also eligible for flu vaccination provided they were three on 31 August 2018.

The Practice has written to those families.

Please see the NHS website for more information.

Reviewed:  06/07/2025

Tetanus

Tetanus Boosters are not normally recommended.  Please see the NHS website or contact the Practice if you believe you need a Tetanus booster.

Shingles Vaccines and Who's Eligible

A vaccine to prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease is available on the NHS to certain people in their 70s.  The shingles vaccine is give as a single injection.  Unlike the Flu jab you'll only need to have the vaccination once and you can have it at any time of the year, though many people will find it convenient to have it at the same time as their annual flu vaccination.

Shingles can be very painful and uncomfortable.  Some people are left with pain lasting for years after the initial rash has healed.  And shingles is fatal for around 1 in 1,000 over-70s who develop it.

The shingles vaccine is routinely available to people aged 70 or 78 on the 1st of September each year.  You become eligible for the vaccine on the 1st of September each year after you have turned 70 or 78 and remain eligible until the last day of August the following year. 

In addition, anyone who was eligible for immunization in the first three years of the programme but has not yet been vaccinated against shingles remain eligible until their 80th birthday.

Anyone aged 80 and over is unsuitable to have the shingles vaccination on the NHS because it seems to be less effective in this age group.

You do not need to do anything as the practice will invite you to the surgery for the vaccine when you become eligible.  If you can't go to the appointment you're offered, contact Reception to arrange a new appointment.

It is important that you do not leave it too late to have the vaccination as we may only be able to give it to you before the end of August of the year following eligibility.   For more information go to the NHS website

Reviewed:  06/07/2025