Seasonal Vaccination Programme
The seasonal vaccination programme starts soon at 168 Medical Group
Please read on for more information on the vaccines, who is eligible and more.
The groups eligible for flu vaccination in the Autumn of 2025 include those that;
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
- have certain long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
The groups eligible for Covid vaccination in the Autumn of 2025 include those that;
- are aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 31 January 2026)
- are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
- live in a care home for older adults
The clinics will take place on the Saturdays in October. The first two clinics at Locking Road and the next two at Parklands Medical Centre.
We have started inviting patients, using mainly a self-booking link. However, at the time of writing, we recognise there have been reported problems with vaccination bookings and we are working to resolve this.
For more information about eligibility, please refer to the NHS and gov.uk:
NHS vaccinations and when to have them - NHS
Immunisation against infectious disease - GOV.UK
Why do I have to wait until October for my flu vaccine?
This is because the latest scientific evidence shows that protection from the flu vaccine decreases over time in adults. It is better to have the vaccine closer to when flu typically circulates.
Having the vaccine every flu season
If you had the flu vaccination last year, you need another one this year.
The flu viruses can change from one winter to the next. Flu vaccines are updated for each winter to give protection against the strains of flu that are most likely to be going around. For this reason, we strongly recommend that even if you were vaccinated last year, you should be vaccinated again this year.
Also, protection from flu vaccination goes down with time so even if some of the strains are the same you should have a flu vaccine again each flu season.
The vaccine should provide protection throughout the current flu season.
When should pregnant women get vaccinated?
Pregnant women should have the vaccine from September. This is because the protection from the vaccine is passed through the placenta to the baby, giving the baby protection for the first few months of life when they are particularly at risk from flu. Therefore pregnant women shouldn’t delay vaccination, especially those who are heavily pregnant, as babies born during the flu season need to be protected against flu as well the pregnant woman herself.
When do I need to get my vaccination by?
Flu typically starts to circulate in December so it’s best that you get the vaccine by the end of November as it takes up to 14 days to work. But even if it’s later than November, it is still worth asking whether you can have a flu vaccine.