Pathfields Medical Group – Seasonal Flu Campaign 2023-24

We are really pleased to announce our flu program has now started. Invites are being sent to our eligible patient currently.

Who is eligible? 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/

Should I have the flu vaccine?

it’s very important that people who are at increased risk from flu have their free vaccination every year.

Click here to find out why you should have the flu vaccine

How do I book an appointment?

All eligible patients will be sent a link from us which is similar to how the National booking service worked for the COVID vaccination campaign. Please see below example.

NHS no-response. You can now book your flu vaccination. Use this link to book into a slot of your choice. Pathfields Medical Group  https://systmonline.tpp-uk.com/2/BookAppointmentLogin?id=1c5c4500_pTgktDzddk_0a27dc00_0

This link is only valid for 7 days.

All you will need to do is pop in you date of birth, to verify we have the correct patient and this will allow you to book your appointment that is convenient for you without having to contact the practice. This will then free up our phone lines to prioritise patients that medical assistance for that day.

With high demand for the flu vaccination this year we do encourage you to book as soon as possible, even if this isn’t at your preferred surgery. The booking link will only last for 7 days.

If you don’t have the facility to use the booking link, do not worry you will be able to call the surgery to book in. We have a dedicated flu booking option on the telephone line for this.

Clinics are now open for booking.

When are the clinics?

We will be holding adult flu clinics from the following sites:

Saturday 30^th September – Plympton Health Centre

Saturday 7^th October – Laira Surgery

Tuesday 10^th October – Beaumont Villa Surgery

Wednesday 11^th October – Armada Surgery

Friday 13^th October – Crownhill Surgery

How effective is the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine gives the best protection against flu. Flu vaccines help protect against the main types of flu viruses, although there’s still a chance you might get flu. If you do get flu after vaccination, it’s likely to be milder and not last as long. Having the flu vaccine will also stop you spreading flu to other people who may be more at risk of serious problems from flu. It can take 10 to 14 days for the flu vaccine to work.

Flu vaccine ingredients

There are several types of injected flu vaccine. None of them contain live viruses so they cannot give you flu.

If you’re eligible for the flu vaccine on the NHS, you’ll be offered one that’s most effective for you, depending on your age:

• adults aged 18 to 64 – there are different types, including low-egg and egg-free ones
• adults aged 65 and over – the most common one contains an extra ingredient to help your immune system make a stronger response to the vaccine

Children aged between 6 months and 2 years who have a long-term health condition are offered an approved injected flu vaccine instead of the nasal spray vaccine.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/

What vaccine will I receive?

Adult Flu Vaccines available at Pathfields Medical Group:

QIVc – Cell-based Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (inactivated)

This is for all at risk patients aged 18-64.

aQIV – Adjuvanted Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (inactivated)

This is for all patients aged 65 and over.

Flu vaccine side effects

Flu vaccines are very safe. All adult flu vaccines are given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm.

Most side effects are mild and only last for a day or so, such as:

• a slightly raised temperature
• muscle aches
• sore arm where the needle went in – this is more likely to happen with one of the vaccines for people aged 65 and over

Try these tips to help reduce the discomfort:

• continue to move your arm regularly
• take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – some people, including those who are pregnant, should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it