Flu & COVID Vaccinations

This Autumn, Holt Surgery will be providing FREE Flu AND Covid vaccinations for eligible patients in a range of clinics. We kindly ask that patients wait to be invited via text message or letter before contacting the surgery.

This change affects patients who have previously been eligible for COVID vaccinations due to conditions such as asthma or COPD, diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, neurological disease or chronic kidney disease who are now eligible for the FLU vaccination ONLY as a “clinically at risk” patient.

(We will NOT be able to offer Covid vaccines to any eligible under 18yr olds. These patients will need to book to have their Covid vaccine via the National Booking System.

BOOKING AND CLINICS @ HOLT

• By Phone – our Vaccination Booking Line will open from Tuesday 16^th September, Mon-Fri, 2pm – 5pm. Patients can call the main Holt Surgery number (01263 712461) and select Option 8.

• Via a text message (from the Surgery) – eligible patients who have registered their mobile number with us will receive a text message with a link allowing them to book directly into one of our clinics.

• Appointment Times – will be individual and staggered to ensure a steady flow.

• Parking – there will be marshals outside the Surgery to show you where to park and there will be reserved disabled parking close to the entrance.

• Dress – patients need to make sure they wear appropriate clothing to allow both upper arms to be easily accessed.

JOINT COVID & FLU CLINICS

Patients 75yrs and over AND 18 – 64yr olds who are immunosuppressed – In line with this year’s Government and JVCI guidance, patients in these cohorts will be invited to Holt Surgery to attend joint Covid and Flu vaccination clinics, where we will give one vaccine in each arm. These clinics will be held on:

• Saturday 11^th October (AM)
• Saturday 18th October (AM)

These clinics will be filled from the earliest clinics first and opened up in line with patient demand.

Co-administration of both vaccines is a safe and efficient method of vaccination. Patients can attend these clinics and decline to have one or the other of the vaccines, however, we would encourage patients to have both vaccines as we may not be able to hold catch up clinics at a later date.

FLU ONLY CLINICS

Patients 65yrs and over AND 18 – 64yr olds who are clinically at risk – Patients will be invited to attend one of our Flu clinics. These clinics will be held on:

• Tuesday 14^th October (AM)
• Tuesday 21^st October (PM)

For more information about the Flu vaccine including side effects, ingredients and eligibility please click here.

Care Home and Housebound Patients

The Surgery will ensure that all care homes and eligible housebound patients are offered both flu and covid vaccinations from 1^st of October to late November.

The NHS defines a housebound person as someone unable to leave their home or surrounding area due to physical or mental health issues. Lack of transport does not automatically qualify someone as housebound however we will always consider your request.

If your circumstances have changed and you require a home visit for your vaccinations, please fill in an online form and a member of staff will contact you.

FLU ONLY CHILDRENS CLINICS

ALL 2 – 3yr olds AND 4 – 17yr old at-risk children will be invited to have their Flu vaccine in children’s clinics at the Surgery. We will contact you about these flu clinics shortly. The Surgery will NOT be offering Covid boosters to under 18’s. Eligible children will need to book to have their Covid booster via the National Booking System.

SHINGLES, PNEUMONIA & RSV

We will invite eligible patients to have these vaccines directly. It will not be given at the same time as the Flu and Covid vaccine. For further information please click HERE.