As winter approaches, School Lane Surgery, in collaboration with Grove Surgery and Watton Medical Practice, is offering a range of crucial vaccinations for flu, covid, and the new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Like last year, we are combining our flu and COVID vaccination clinics. You can book both vaccines in one go, saving you from the hassle of multiple appointments. Prefer just one vaccine? No problem, you can choose what suits you best.
Appointments for the flu and covid clinics are available to everyone eligible, not just our patients. Book online via the National Booking System (NBS) or call 119 from 3rd October. For RSV vaccines, please contact your usual practice to book an appointment.
Who’s Eligible for the Flu Vaccine?
Aged 65 or over.
Between 6 months and 64 years old and in a clinical risk group
Pregnant
Live in a care home
Care for someone elderly, disabled or receive a carer’s allowance.
Live with someone who has a weakened immune system.
2 to 3-year-old child
School-aged child (Reception to Year 11) — school-based vaccination will be arranged by the school.
Frontline health or social care worker
When Can You Get the Flu Vaccine?
From September: Available for pregnant individuals, 2–3-year-olds, school-aged children, and those in clinical risk groups aged 6 months to under 18. From October: Available for adults aged 65 and over, those aged 18 to 64 in clinical risk groups, care home residents, main carers, and frontline health and
social care workers.
Who’s Eligible for the Covid Booster?
Aged 65 and over.
Live in a care home for older adults
Between 6 months and 64 years old and in clinical risk groups
Pregnant
Frontline health or social care worker
Where to Get Your Vaccinations
Flu and covid vaccines will be given at Thetford Healthy Living Centre and Watton Medical Practice. Booking links will be sent via text message to our patients. If you don’t receive a text, we’ll contact you to book or call your surgery after 3rd October.
Please note, we cannot vaccinate anyone under 18 at the flu/covid clinics. For those under 18, COVID vaccines should be booked via the National Booking System (NBS), and school-based flu vaccinations will be managed by school nurses.
New RSV Vaccine Availability
This year, a new RSV vaccine is available for:
Individuals turning 75 on or after September 1, 2024
Those aged 75 to 79 (with a catch-up program running until August 31, 2025)
Pregnant individuals over 28 weeks (up until birth) RSV vaccines will be offered at the surgery or through antenatal clinics for pregnant individuals, available year-round starting 1st September 2024.
Important Notes
Flu and covid vaccines will be given at the Healthy Living Centre and Watton Medical Practice, not at the surgery. Following new NHS England advice, older patients will receive their flu vaccine starting in October this year. If you haven’t received an invitation by 3rd October, please contact us to book.
Children under 18 will have specific vaccination arrangements: school-based flu vaccines and separate covid booster bookings via the NBS. If you’ve received a letter about being immunosuppressed and eligible, please bring it to your vaccination appointment. For more details on eligibility, booking, and other vaccination queries, please visit your surgery’s website.
Protect yourself and your loved ones this winter. Book your flu and covid vaccinations today.
Sandy Smith, Nurse Manager – School Lane Surgery
