Frome Medical Practice winter vaccinations update

Frome Medical Practice is preparing for the winter vaccination programme, which this year includes a new vaccination for some patients to protect them from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

Three vaccinations will be offered by the practice this year, to protect patients against RSV, seasonal flu and Covid and the practice is asking patients to familiarise themselves with who is eligible for which vaccination and how this year’s vaccination programme will work.  

Lead nurse at the practice, Pernille Johansen, said, “We strongly encourage all our patients who are eligible for the three different vaccinations this year to book their vaccine appointments so they can protect themselves from potential serious illness. The RSV vaccination will be offered from September at an appointment separate from the later flu and Covid vaccination clinics. 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 each week if you need help with this. We will contact patients who don’t have a mobile phone number registered with us by letter or telephone call.”  

The practice is asking patients to please keep in mind the following important points: 

• If you are eligible for a vaccination, the practice will get in touch with you. Please wait for them to do this.  

• If we have your mobile telephone number, they will send you a text including a booking link, which you can use to make your appointment. If you need help with this, please visit one of the digital health drop-in sessions. More details about these are available on the practice website (search digital health support from the home page) or on social media https://www.fromemedicalpractice.co.uk/digital-health-support  

• If you do not have a mobile phone, the practice will contact you by letter or telephone call to arrange your appointments 

• Their complex care team will contact housebound patients and patients in care homes to arrange their vaccinations 

• The RSV vaccination will not be available at the same time as your flu / Covid vaccination and you will need a different appointment for this. The RSV vaccination programme will start at the practice on Tuesday 17th September (care home and housebound patients will be vaccinated in the first half of the month). 

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

• Pregnant women and children will be able to receive their flu vaccination from Tuesday 3rd September (please note that most school age children will receive their vaccination at school). 

• Most other eligible adults will be offered the flu (and, if applicable, Covid) vaccines from early October, although a small number of patients may need to be vaccinated before October (for example, anyone starting chemotherapy in October). They will be offering vaccine clinics on Saturday 12th, Saturday 19th and Saturday 26th October and Thursday 7th November. The practice advises patients that they should have their flu vaccine by the end of November. 

The details of each of the three vaccines are listed below:  

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccinations 

Who is eligible for the RSV vaccination?  

• Patients aged 75, on or after Sunday 1st September, up to 31st August 2025 

• Patients who are 28 weeks or more pregnant  

• For this first year of the RSV vaccination programme, the vaccine will also be offered to those who are already 75 to 79 years old on 1st September and patients who will turn 80 years old before 31st August 2025.  

Further information about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) 

You can find out more about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and RSV vaccinations on the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/  

Flu vaccinations 

Who is eligible for the flu vaccination?  

• Patients aged 65 and over 

• Patients with certain long term health conditions  

• Pregnant women  

• Patients living in a care home 

• Patients living with someone who has a weakened immune system  

• Main carers for an older or disabled person or receive a carer’s allowance 

• Children aged two to three years old (born between 1st September 2020 and 31st August 2022), school aged children (reception to Year 11), children aged six months to 17 years with certain long term health conditions. 

Further information about flu 

You can find out more about flu and flu vaccinations on the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/  

Covid vaccinations 

Who is eligible for the Covid vaccination?  

• Patients aged 65 years and over 

• Residents in a care home for older adults 

• Patients aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group  

• Frontline NHS and social care workers, and those working in care homes for older people 

Further information about Covid 

You can find out more about Covid and Covid vaccinations on the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/