For Childhood Immunisations

Please see the childhood immunisation page for a full listing.

Tetanus

You need 5 tetanus injections to achieve immunity. Most of us will have had five as part of our childhood immunisation programme. Older generations may not have had five and should seek advice from our nurse as to whether a booster is required.

Travel Jabs

Travel Immunisations are given by our nurses within a normal surgery. You should obtain and complete a Travel Questionnaire (available from reception or download here) at least six weeks before your departure. Find out more about travel health at fitfortravel web site.

Our Practice Nurses will check your current immunisation status against the required vaccines for the country you are visiting. They will then telephone you and advise which vaccines and, if applicable, Malaria prophylaxis, are required. Please ensure we have all your contact numbers.

Typical travel jabs are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Diphtheria, Polio and less commonly Japanese encephalitis.

A charge will be made for certain vaccines not available under the NHS, including (but not limited to) Yellow Fever, Cholera and Rabies. Some Malaria prophylaxis drugs are only available on prescription. Unfortunately prescription and dispensing of travel drugs is not covered by the NHS. The scale of charges are available from reception. You will be informed of the charges before the course of jabs.

We are a registered Yellow Fever centre.

Flu and Pneumonia Jabs

Flu Jabs 2010

Due to cuts in our budget, there will only be two flu surgeries this year. Please ensure you book a slot at reception asap.

The dates are:

Saturday 16th October 08.30 – 12.00

Saturday 20th November 08.30 – 12.00

Both will be on a coffee morning basis as in the past and all proceeds will be split equally between Princess Alice Hospice and MacMillan Fund.

Regrettably, NO flu vaccinations will be given outside these clinics.

Doctors are advising that if you are in the "at risk" category you should have Seasonal Flu jab. Seasonal Flu is typically seen in January/February whilst the Swine Flu has diminished but may be with us for the next 18 – 24 months it is included in the 2010/11 jab.

Please call Reception to book an appointment on:020 8398 8619 between 4pm & 5pm.

For Swine H1N1 flu information see the page on Swine Flu news.

Flu and Pneumonia Jab Clinics are held annually and begin in early October. Flu jabs are available on the NHS to patients in the following categories:

• aged over the age of 65
• are over 6 months old and have a long-term (chronic) condition such as a heart problem, asthma or diabetes
• have a lowered immune system due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
• have long-term (chronic) liver or kidney disease
• living in an old people’s home or nursing home
• are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill

Please contact the surgery or visit our website in September to find out when the Flu Clinics are running. Patients over 65 should also ensure that they have had a Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) vaccination.

Flu can cause serious illness in the elderly and those with medical conditions. A Flu jab is the best protection available.

Chicken Pox (Varicella)

Varicella immunisation is now recommended for non-immune health care workers (HCWs), who work in primary care and in hospitals (both in the NHS and privately) and who have direct patient contact. This is recommended to protect susceptible HCWs and also to protect vulnerable patients from acquiring chickenpox from an infected member of staff.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B can be passed on in the following ways:

• During sex with an infected partner.
• From an infected mother to her newborn baby during delivery.
• Users of injected drugs can infect others through sharing needles.
• By sharing contaminated needles or other drug injecting equipment.
• Through a blood transfusion in a country where blood is not tested for hepatitis B virus. All blood in the UK is tested.

There is a vaccine against hepatitis B. It contains a killed part of the hepatitis B virus and is given in three doses. All pregnant women are offered screening for hepatitis B. If found to be carriers, or to have acute hepatitis B during pregnancy, their babies are given hepatitis B vaccine starting at birth and hepatitis B immunoglobulin if recommended.

People at increased risk of infection with hepatitis B, though, lifestyle, occupation such as healthcare workers or other factors, are also offered the vaccine. Please enquire if you think you are at risk.

The usual course is three injections and boosters may be required. Full information can be found on the NHS Immunisation website.