Childhood Immunisations
One of the most important things that a parent can do for their child is to make sure that they have all their routine childhood vaccinations. It’s the most effective way of keeping them protected against infectious diseases.
Ideally, children should have their jabs at the right age to protect them as early as possible and minimise the risk of infection.
Find out which jabs your child needs, when they need them, and what the benefits of each jab are.
MMR Vaccine – The MMR vaccine gives long-term protection against measles, mumps and rubella. MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine – NHS
Please call the surgery to make an appointment.
For more information please visit the websites below:
Useful links
Flu Immunisation
Seasonal flu is a highly infectious illness caused by a flu virus.
The virus infects your lungs and upper airways, causing a sudden high temperature and general aches and pains.
You could also lose your appetite, feel nauseous and have a dry cough. Symptoms can last for up to a week.
We offer ‘at risk’ groups the flu vaccine at a certain time each year to protect you against the flu virus.
You may be invited for a flu jab if you are:
- over 65 years of age
- pregnant
or have:
- a serious heart or chest complaint, including asthma
- serious kidney disease
- diabetes
- lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
- if you have ever had a stroke
- If you have any queries please contact the surgery.
For more information please visit the websites below:
Useful links
Pneumococcal Vaccine
The pneumococcal vaccine (or ‘pneumo jab’ or pneumonia vaccine as it’s also known) protects against pneumococcal infections.
Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and can lead to pneumonia, septicaemia (a kind of blood poisoning) and meningitis.
Who should have the pneumococcal vaccine?
A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. However, some people need the pneumococcal vaccination because they are at higher risk of complications. These include:
- all children under the age of two
- adults aged 65 or over
- children and adults with certain long-term health conditions, such as a serious heart or kidney condition
How often is the pneumococcal vaccine given?
Babies receive the pneumococcal vaccine as three separate injections, at 2 months, 4 months and 12-13 months.
People over-65 only need a single pneumococcal vaccination which will protect for life. It is not given annually like the flu jab.
People with a long term health condition may need just a single one-off pneumococcal vaccination or five-yearly vaccination depending on their underlying health problem.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds. RSV infections usually get better by themselves, but can sometimes be serious for babies and older adults.
RSV infections are very common. Almost all children get them at least once before they’re 2 years old.
They’re not usually serious, but some babies and adults have a higher risk of getting seriously ill, particularly:
- babies under 6 months old
- young children who were born prematurely
- adults over 75 years
- babies, children and adults with a weakened immune system, or long-term lung or heart conditions
- people who smoke tobacco and babies exposed to tobacco smoke
In babies, RSV is a common cause of a type of chest infection called bronchiolitis. This can cause breathing problems and may need to be treated in hospital.
RSV can also cause a serious lung infection (pneumonia) in babies and older adults.
How to avoid catching and spreading RSV
RSV is spread in the coughs and sneezes of someone who has the virus.
There are some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting it or spreading it to anyone else, such as:
- wash or wipe down toys and clean surfaces regularly
- try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
- use disposable tissues and throw them away as soon as you’ve used them
- try to keep newborn babies away from anyone with a cold or the flu – especially if they were born prematurely or have serious health conditions
RSV vaccination
The RSV vaccine is recommended if:
- you’re pregnant (from 28 weeks of pregnancy) – this will help protect your baby for the first few months after they’re born
- you’re aged 75 to 79
The vaccine helps reduce the risk of RSV causing serious problems such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
If you’re aged 75 to 79, contact your GP surgery to book your vaccination.
If you’re 28 weeks pregnant or more, you can speak to your maternity service or GP surgery about getting vaccinated.
Injection for children at risk of serious infections
Young children with a very high risk of getting seriously ill from RSV may be given an injection of infection-fighting antibodies each winter.
This helps reduce the risk of RSV causing severe bronchiolitis. It’s usually given in children’s clinics in hospital.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – NHS
Are you over 75 or pregnant? Get the RSV vaccination to protect yourself