Expansion of Flu Vaccination Programme 2020
As you may have read the government announced on 24th July 2020 that the eligible criteria for a flu vaccination has been extended to include all patients over the age of 50.
In previous years the practice has undertaken the annual flu vaccination in line with the following patient eligibility:
- all children aged two and three years
- those aged six months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
- pregnant women
- those aged 65 years and over
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
Patients who met the above criteria are invited for an annual flu vaccination.
The practice orders flu vaccinations every January for the following flu season. This is to enable flu vaccine manufacturers to produce enough doses for eligible patients. Last January the practice ordered flu vaccinations for the above cohort of patients based on last year’s uptake figures. The practices were asked by NHS England to increase our flu order on 14th May 2020. Unfortunately (and in line with many other practices) we were unable to secure any additional vaccine to expand our flu programme offer.
This does mean that we will prioritise patient’s who fall into the above categories and who usually receive a flu vaccination and we will write via email, post or text message to invite you in for your usual vaccination. We anticipate that our vaccination programme for children will start in September and our vaccination programme for adults will start at the beginning of October. You will receive an invitation by text or letter to book an appointment with us.
We anticipate in the coming weeks there will be a national announcement of additional vaccinations, these are expected in November or December for patients who DO NOT usually receive a flu vaccination. Please do not request one from us before this time as we will have to refuse whilst we prioritise our vulnerable patients.
We hope that you can understand that the practice needs to prioritise our clinically vulnerable patients for vaccination.
