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 or letter before contacting the surgery.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – Please read carefully.
- The FLU vaccination remains available to patients over 65yrs and those who are “clinically at risk” as defined in chapter 19 of the green book.
- The COVID vaccination is ONLY available to patients over 75yrs and those who are “immunosuppressed” as defined in chapter 14a of the green book. Patients under 75 are only eligible if they meet the criteria below. If you have not received an invitation for both vaccines and feel you may be eligible, please fill in an online form.
(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 on the National Booking System).
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:
| These clinics will be filled from the earliest clinics first and opened up in line with patient demand. |
- Thursday 8th October 5pm-8pm
- Saturday 17th October 8.30am to 1pm
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 our Flu clinic. This clinic will be held on:
- Saturday 3rd October 8.30am to 1pm
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 Monday 12th 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 via a self-book link or letter. 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.
ELIGIBILITY
Flu eligibility
For full details of this year’s flu eligibility please see:
- The NHS website : https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
- The Green Book:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/influenza-the-green-book-chapter-19
Covid eligibility
For full details of this season’s Covid eligibility please see the green book guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-the-green-book-chapter-14a
BOOKING AND CLINICS @ HOLT
- By Phone – our Vaccination Booking Line will open from Tuesday 8th 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.