Influenza is a virus that infects many people each year, causing severe illness and sometimes death. The flu vaccination provides the best possible protection against this unpredictable virus.

This year, we will be running our flu clinics differently to ensure that we are COVID safe. Below is some detailed information to help guide you about any changes and what to expect when attending the practice. 

It is vital that you DO NOT attend for vaccination if you or a member of your household currently has symptoms of COVID-19 or if you are self-isolating due to contact with a suspected confirmed case of COVID-19.

If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), get a test as soon as possible. Stay at home until you get the result.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.

What to do if you have symptoms

If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:

1. Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
2. Stay at home and do not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.

Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also stay at home until you get your result.

See site for full details: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/

How do I make my flu vaccine appointment?

We are taking flu appointment bookings now for September 2020**. Flu clinics will be held at the practice. To make an appointment please contact the receptionists on 01707 283 450. We are doing more flu vaccinations than usual this year and so have several scheduled clinics over the course of the winter. If one clinic is fully booked you may be asked to call again when more is available.

We ask that where possible you attend the clinic alone to reduce congestion on site. However if you have a carer or someone that helps support you, you can bring this person.

** Please note that we currently cannot take appointments for anyone aged 50-64 who is not in an at risk group. Later in the year, the flu vaccine may be given to 50-64-year-olds as per NHS England guidance. More information will be available later in the autumn.

However, if you are aged 50-64 AND in an at-risk group, you should not delay having your flu vaccine.

How is this different to normal?

Most flu clinics this year will be in our extended hours’ time; this means we are offering appointments in early mornings, late evenings or weekends. We have made these changes in order to provide the vaccine safely to everyone that needs it.

What will happen on the day?

We ask that you do not arrive before your appointment time. This is to prevent to many people being seen at one time within the practice. If you can we advise you wait in the car until just before your appointment time.

On Saturdays and during extended hours sessions the main door of the surgery will be open and there will be a one way system in operation. You will be asked to queue up through the waiting room, maintaining social distancing at all times and asked to remove your coat and expose your arm.  You will be directed to one of the clinical rooms where you will get the vaccination and then asked to leave via one of the side doors. Blue arrow signs will be placed on walls to help guide you and staff will also be available to assist you.

There will be some smaller clinics available mid-week in normal opening hours for these appointments you should make yourself known to the receptionist at the main door who will ask you to enter using the side entrance door.

 We expect the clinics to be organised and fast paced so there will be no chairs to sit on.

To protect patients who have been shielding we are offering early morning clinics at the beginning of the day on Thursdays only to comply with current guidance and recommendations. If you are a shielding patient please make the receptionist aware of this at the time of booking and try to book an early morning Thursday slot. 

What do I need to do?

YOU MUST WEAR A FACE COVERING WHEN ATTENDING THE PRACTICE. 

Hand sanitiser is also available on each entry and exit point at the practice. Please wash your hands before and after attending for your injection.  This can be done at home as the toilets in the surgery will be closed on clinic days.

PLEASE DO NOT attend if you or a close contact has symptoms or have had contact with a suspected/confirmed case of COVID-19. You will need to contact 111 or 119 for further advice.

What about car parking?

Parking near the practice is currently very limited due to the works associated with building the new car park opposite the practice.  Parking is available at Asda, Link Drive, and the temporary car park at No1 Town Centre.

How long will it take?

We do not expect each appointment to take very long, however all appointments have been spaced out to ensure social distancing measures so there may be some waiting.

Will I just be offered my flu vaccination?

In addition to the flu you may be eligible for the shingles or pneumonia vaccinations.  We are unable to offer these during the flu clinics but you will be offered an appointment to get these done at another time

What do I do after I’ve had my vaccination?

After your vaccination you will be asked to leave the practice.

Do’s	Don’ts
Wear a face covering	Attend if you have symptoms of COVID
Arrive on time	Arrive very early or really late for your appointment
Come on your own (where possible) [Carers/ support workers can attend if needed with you]
Tell the receptionist if you are a shielding patient
Wash hands before attending the site and after  Use hand sanitiser on arrival and exit to practice
Expect a quick appointment
Check parking before your appointment date
Follow signs and instructions