The National influenza immunisation programme 2019
FLU APPOINTMENTS NOW AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR PATIENTS 65 AND OVER
PATIENTS UNDER 65 APPOINTMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO BOOK FROM THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER
Please contact reception (65 and over appointments are also available on line), we have morning and afternoon appointments and are running a Saturday morning clinic on Saturday 19th October 2019
The National influenza immunisation programme 2019
Influenza is a highly infectious, acute viral respiratory tract infection which has a usual incubation period of 3 days. Symptoms can develop suddenly and can include a dry cough, headache, fever and extreme fatigue. It is spread by droplets, aerosol or through direct contact with the respiratory secretions of someone with the infection.
For otherwise healthy individuals, it is usually a mild self-limiting disease with recovery occurring within 2 – 7 days. However, for young babies, pregnant women, the elderly and patients with other medical conditions, influenza can have serious consequences and in some cases even death.
There are a number of injectable inactivated influenza vaccines for different ages:
65yrs of age and over (and people becoming 65yrs by 31st March 2020)
· adjuvanted Trivalent influenza vaccine (aTIV) called Fluad
· quadrivalent influenza vaccine cell grown (QIVc) called Flucelvax Tetra (egg free)
6mths - <2yrs
· quadrivalent influenza vaccine egg grown (QIVe)
18yrs – 64yrs of age for ‘At-Risk’ groups
· quadrivalent influenza vaccine cell grown (QIVc) called Flucelvax Tetra (egg free)
· quadrivalent influenza vaccine egg grown (QIVe)
2yrs – <18yrs
· live attenuated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (LAIV) called Fluenz Tetra (nasal flu)
This LIVE vaccine is available for:
· All healthy children who are aged 2 or 3yrs old on 31st August 2019
· Children 4 - <18yrs in ‘At Risk’ groups
Children in ‘At Risk’ groups who have any contra-indications to receiving a live vaccine can be given QIVe
All children aged 4 – 10yrs (yrs.’ 1-6) will receive their LAIV at school
Appointments will be available to book at both Balsall Common and Meriden surgeries commencing in September so please contact your surgery to book your flu vaccine