School Lane and Grove surgeries share eligibility, dates and venues for Thetford’s autumn 2026 flu and Covid vaccination clinics.
It feels odd to be thinking about winter as I write this on one of the hottest days of the year. Still, flu season will soon be here, and planning is already well underway!
As in previous years, School Lane Surgery and Grove Surgery are working together on joint flu and Covid clinics for those eligible. This is to get as many people in the community vaccinated as quickly as possible before the viruses start to circulate.
Who is eligible this year?
Eligibility for flu and Covid vaccinations differs, so not everyone invited for a flu vaccination will be eligible for a Covid vaccination.
Covid vaccination will be offered to:
- People aged 75 and over, including those who will turn 75 by 31st January 2027.
- Residents of care homes for older adults.
- Patients aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in the national guidance.
Flu vaccination is available to a much wider range of people, and the date we can start vaccinating differs between groups.
From 1st September 2026, eligible patients we can vaccinate include:
- Pregnant women.
- All children aged two or three on 31st August 2026.
- Children in clinical risk groups aged from six months to under 18.
All primary and secondary school-aged children, from Reception to Year 11, will be offered the flu vaccine by the school immunisation service. These vaccinations are normally arranged through schools rather than the surgery. The school will contact you at the right time.
From 1st October 2026, eligible patients include:
- Patients aged 65 and over.
- Patients aged 18 to under 65 in clinical risk groups.
- Residents of long-stay residential care homes.
- Close contacts of immunocompromised patients.
- Carers receiving Carer’s Allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person.
The flu programme runs from 1st September 2026 to 31st March 2027. The Covid programme runs from 1st October 2026 to 31st January 2027.
When are the clinics?
Throughout October, we will be holding Saturday clinics for flu only and joint flu and Covid clinics. The following clinics are for patients registered with Grove Surgery or School Lane Surgery only:
| Date | Clinic | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 3rd October | Flu only | Your own surgery |
| Saturday 10th October | Joint flu and Covid | Healthy Living Centre |
| Saturday 17th October | Flu only | Your own surgery |
| Saturday 24th October | Joint flu and Covid | Healthy Living Centre |
If you are registered with another GP surgery, your own surgery will contact you with details of its arrangements.
Where will you be vaccinated?
Flu only: Attend the clinic at the surgery where you are registered, either Grove or School Lane.
Covid only: Attend one of the joint clinics at the Healthy Living Centre.
Flu and Covid together: Attend one of the joint clinics at the Healthy Living Centre.
Your invitation and booking information will make clear which clinic you should attend. As always, if you are in doubt, please speak to us. We are here to help and make it as quick and simple as possible.
What about housebound patients and care homes?
Eligible patients who are housebound will be contacted about a home visit. If you are eligible for both vaccines, they may be offered during the same visit. Being housebound does not, by itself, make someone eligible for either vaccine.
We are in touch with the care homes we cover and will arrange visits to vaccinate eligible residents who wish to have the vaccine.
Now, please do not worry if you are not sure whether you are eligible. We have already started contacting patients to book appointments. If you have not been contacted yet, there is no need to call the surgery – we will contact you.
Please wait to receive your invitation rather than calling the surgery, and keep an eye on your surgery’s website and Facebook page for further updates.
Now… where is that ice cream?
Marc Rolph
Business Manager
School Lane Surgery
