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We offer a full range of childhood immunisations in line with the recommendations from the Department of Health. All children born in the UK are given a Red Book soon after birth with a record of their health checks and immunisations. In order to ensure records are kept up to date, and that your child receives all the appropriate immunisations, we request that you bring this book with you when registering a child and/or when any immunisation is to be given.
Immunisations are given by the practice nurse and she will be happy to answer any of your queries or concerns. Click here for more information regarding the childhood immunisation programme.
The first immunisations are given by the practice nurse after the first baby at 8 weeks. The nurse will then advise when your child needs to be brought in again (a reminder will also be sent via post). A record of the immunisation will be made in the child’s Red Book. A copy of this information is also held in our medical records. It is important that you bring the Red Book to each appointment as it is a vital way of sharing information between the professionals who look after your child, especially if you move surgeries.
Before your child starts school, he/she will be offered immunisation at the surgery known as pre-school boosters. You will be sent a reminder about this in the post. Teenagers will usually be immunised at school, and the school will contact you before your child is given any immunisation.
For more information, please see the routine childhood immunisations schedule here, or refer to the Department of Health's Immunisation site: www.immunisation.nhs.uk. Answers to some commonly asked questions can also be viewed here.
Flu and pnemococcal vaccinations are routinely offered to all patients with chronic medical problems over the age of 65 or carers of these patients. Such patients are more vulnerable to the complications of flu such as pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and exacerbation of their underlying health problem(s). Pneumococcal infection can cause diseases such as pneumonia and septicaemia in the at-risk group. These illnesses may require hospital treatment and can be life-threatening, especially in the elderly.
The table below lists patients considered to be at risk and, therefore, offered immunisation:
| Chronic Medical Problem Classification | Examples of Diseases |
| Chronic lung disease | Chronic bronchitis, emphysema and cystic fibrosis. May also include severe asthma where the person requires continuous or repeated use of inhaled or systemic steroids |
| Chronic heart disease | Chronic ischaemic heart disease, congenital heart disease and hypertensive heart disease, all of which require regular medication and/or follow-up; chronic heart failure |
| Chronic renal disease | Nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal failure and renal transplantation |
| Diabetes | Requiring insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs |
| Immunosuppression | Due to disease or treatment, this includes people who have a damaged or no spleen, people who are on immunosuppressant treatment those on high doses of systemic steroids. HIV infected individuals |
| Chronic neurological disease | Those who have suffered a stroke or who have transient ischaemic attacks |
| Chronic liver disease | GPs may also advise patients with chronic liver disease to have the flu vaccine |
| Other people considered at risk: | |
| People living in residential care homes | The flu vaccine should be given to people living in long-stay residential care homes where flu is likely to spread very quickly |
| Main carers for the elderly or disabled | Flu vaccines may be given to individuals who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person (so that they can continue to look after that person). This should be given at the discretion of their GP |
The flu vaccination is given annually to patients at risk, usually between September and November. Children under the age of 12 years receiving the vaccine for the first time will need 2 vaccines, each one a month apart.
Pneumococcal disease is the term used to describe infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumococcal infection causes a broad range of diseases in older people and is the most common cause of serious pneumonia. As well as infecting the lungs, pneumococcal bacteria can infect the blood stream. This type of infection is called invasive pneumococcal disease.
For most individuals, the vaccine is given as a one-off and provides life-long protection. Some patients, like those without a spleen or with certain types of kidney problems such as nephrotic syndrome, may require a booster after 5 years.
For more up-to-date information about these vaccines please visit the Department of Health's immunisation website.
