Flu vaccines
This year we are offering the adult flu vaccine from early October. This is slightly later than usual. This is because the latest scientific evidence shows that protection from the flu vaccine decreases over time in adults. It is therefore better to have the vaccine closer to when flu typically circulates in December. This is why the government have recommended we do not start offering vaccines until early October.
Flu circulation in children normally starts earlier than flu circulation in adults, therefore the children’s programme will start in September. Protection from the vaccine lasts much longer in children. Prioritising vaccinating children from September provides early protection to children and reduces transmission to the wider population.
Who is eligible for a flu vaccine?
Adults
Flu vaccination is recommended for those who are most at risk of serious complications if they get flu. For adults this includes everyone aged 65 years and over, pregnant women, and those with certain long-term health conditions. Flu can be a serious illness in these people and the vaccine offers the best protection. If you are not eligible but wish to pay for a vaccine you can do so at your local pharmacy.
If you are unsure if you are eligible for a flu vaccine this winter, you can use this free Flu Eligibility Checker and answer a few short questions. If you are still unsure, please submit an Anima E-consult for support. This will be passed to our nursing team who can check your eligibility for you.
Children
Children aged 2 or 3, and children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions are eligible for the flu vaccine via their GP surgery. Parents of eligible children will be sent a booking link for an appointment in September. We understand that many children attend nurseries and preschools and have therefore made sure to offer appointments at a variety of times including on a Saturday.
For otherwise healthy children in school years R to 11 they will be offered a flu vaccine via the school nurses. Please note the guidance on which teams offer vaccination for school aged children is set by the wider NHS. We are unable to vaccinate children who miss their vaccine at school or who need additional support to access the vaccine at school. This is because the school nurses are responsible for providing reasonable adjustments and catch-up clinics for school children. Contact details for school nurses can be found on the following websites:
If your child attends a school in the Southampton City Council area, please visit School nursing (southampton.gov.uk)
If your child attends a school in Hampshire please visit School Nursing – Hampshire :: Healthier Together (what0-18.nhs.uk)
When will I get my flu vaccine?
Children will receive invitations for flu vaccine clinics in September.
Adults will receive their invitations later in September to book for our clinics in October. Our planned flu clinic dates are Friday 4th October, Saturday 5th of October and Saturday 12th of October.
For patients who are registered as housebound we will plan our visits starting in October. As we have around 500 patients who are housebound the process of visiting individual houses takes much longer therefore, we expect that our housebound flu vaccine campaign will start in October but not be completed until November.
How do I book my flu vaccine?
We will be in touch via text message or your preferred method of contact to invite you to book your vaccine via a booking link. Our text messages are sent out over several days as we have thousands of patients to invite, so do not worry if your friend or relative receives their text before you. We have enough appointments and enough vaccine for everyone who needs one.
Covid booster vaccines
Planning for the national winter Covid Vaccine campaign is ongoing and it is anticipated that the campaign will start in early October. Once details are finalised, we will send information to eligible patients with details of how to book via the national booking service.
