Saturday Flu Clinics - September 2023

We are pleased to announce details of this year’s Flu immunisation program.

How will patients be invited?

Please do not contact the practice unless you have been asked to do so.

From September, text messages or letters will be sent direct informing those patients who are eligible for a vaccination.

• Text message - For patients who we are able to send a text message to, you will be invited to self-book your appointment via a link within the text message. You will be offered a choice of the below dates and various time slots.
• Letter - For patients who we are not able to send a text message to, you will be invited via letter to contact the practice to book your appointment. You will be offered a choice of the below dates and various slots. Please contact us between 2pm and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Clinic dates

All clinics are for pre-booked appointments only

Please Note:

• Vaccinators - The vaccinators on the day may vary to those originally booked with.
• Appointment times – Whilst we will do our best to see patients at their allocated time, please allow for some flexibility either side of your appointment time slot.

Clinic locations

We will be offering the flu service from Thornhills Medical Practice premises and we will be operating a one-way system.

Eligibility

• All people aged 65 years or over
• All people aged 6 months to less than 65 years of age, in a clinical risk group: 
  • chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis
  • chronic heart disease, such as heart failure 
  • chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five
  • chronic liver disease 
  • chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease, 
  • learning disability 
  • diabetes 
  • splenic dysfunction or asplenia 
  • a weakened immune system due to disease or treatment 
  • morbidly obese (defined as BMI of 40 and above)
• All pregnant women
• Those who are in receipt of a carers allowance or who care for an older or disabled person
• Household contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• People living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities

What will happen when I arrive?

When you arrive please follow the signs and join the queue. You will then be directed to a vaccination station. There will be a one-way system in place. If this is likely to be difficult for you please inform a member of staff when you arrive.

What do I need to do?

• Be prepared for the weather
• Attend alone unless you require a carer or the support of another
• Be prepared to answer questions about yourself: name, date of birth, address, any allergies
• Ensure your arm is ready for the vaccination

What do I do after I’ve had my vaccination?

Most patients can leave the site immediately; however, in some cases you may be asked to remain on the premises for a short while.

Additional clinics

There will be further clinics running for people who are unable to attend the above dates. These will be advertised on our website in due course. If appropriate opportunistic flu vaccinations will also be offered for eligible patients visiting the surgery for other appointments.

Housebound and care home patients

Patients on our agreed housebound list and those who live in a care home will be visited and vaccinated at home or at the care home.

Children without chronic diseases

2 year olds and 3 year olds will be invited for vaccination at the surgery separately.

4 year olds to 15 year olds will be vaccinated by the schools.

And finally…

Can you offer any help?  As in previous years, we are looking for volunteers who could spare a couple of hours on any of the clinic dates to assist with managing the queues and the one way system.  If you can help, in the first instance please, contact us indicating which clinics would be most convenient for you.

Many thanks in advance for your support.

Published: Aug 23, 2023