Eligible patients to be contacted for winter vaccinations

Patients of Frome Medical Practice who are eligible for the flu and Covid vaccinations this year are due to be contacted to book an appointment.

Eligible patients with a mobile phone number on record at Frome Medical Practice can expect to receive a text from the practice with a booking link, which they can click to choose an appointment time.

Lead Nurse at the practice, Pernille Johansen, said, “We strongly encourage all our patients who are eligible for the flu and Covid vaccinations this year to book their vaccine appointments as soon as possible so they can protect themselves from potential serious illness. We have increased the number of clinics this year, and will be offering weekday and Saturday appointments to patients.

“Please look out for our text messages, which will invite you to book your appointments via a clickable link. We have digital health support sessions available if you need help with this.”

Who is eligible for the flu vaccination?

The following patients are eligible for flu vaccinations:

“Patients aged 65 and over; patients with certain long-term health conditions; pregnant women; patients living in care homes; patients living with someone who has a weakened immune system; main carers for an older or disabled person, or those receiving a carer’s allowance; all children aged two or three years old on 31st August 2025; school-aged children (reception to year 11); all children in clinical risk groups from six months to under 18 years old.”

Covid vaccinations

The following patients are eligible for Covid vaccinations:

Patients aged 75 years and over; residents in a care home for older adults; patients aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed. Frontline NHS and social care workers, and those working in care homes for older people, can also get a flu vaccine, but this needs to be arranged through their employer.

The practice is asking patients to please bear these following important points in mind.

Pernille said,  “If you need help with using the booking link, please visit one of our digital health drop-in sessions.

“More details about these are available on the practice website (search digital health support from the home page) or social media fromemedicalpractice.co.uk/digital-health-support

Booking appointments

“If you do not receive a text, please contact the practice from Monday 1st September to book your appointment, using the flu line number on 01373 301300. We cannot book your appointment before 1st September.

“Patients might receive an invite via the National Booking System for flu and Covid vaccinations. You do not need to respond to this invite if you book an appointment at the practice. Please note, if you do use the link in the invite from the National Booking System, this will not give you an option to book your vaccines with the practice.

“We will contact housebound patients and patients in care homes to arrange their vaccinations.

“If you are eligible for the flu vaccination and Covid vaccination, we can give you both these vaccines at the same time.”