COVID SPRING BOOSTER VACCINATIONS at Neetside Surgery
We are currently taking bookings for clinics being held at Neetside Surgery for the Spring Covid booster vaccinations 2024. If you are eligible, please contact reception to book in.
DATES
Thursday 2nd May (afternoon)
Thursday 16th May (afternoon)
ELIGIBILITY
The following groups of people are eligible for a Covid booster:
- Anyone over 75
- People living in a care home for older people
- Anyone under 75 who is SEVERELY IMMUNOSUPPRESSED.
Please note: those who have conditions which mean they are categorised 'at risk' medically are not eligible for the 2024 spring booster unless they have a condition that means their immune system is weakened. For government guidance on those who are immunosuppressed click HERE
If you are turning 75 years of age between April and June 2024, you do not have to wait until your birthday, you can attend when you are called for vaccination.
Please note: we are not commissioned to provide Covid vaccinations to anyone under 18. These will be being given by other providers from NHS Cornwall at other venues.
NATIONAL BOOKING SERVICE
From 15th April the National Booking Service is available to make bookings for the spring Covid boosters at local venues (not surgeries) by calling 119 or going online HERE
For a list of local walk-in options please click HERE
For more information about the spring Covid booster vaccinations 2024 click HERE
GAPS BETWEEN VACCS
For all Covid vaccinations the gaps between boosters should be:
- Those aged 12 and above, who are immunocompromised, must have a gap of 3 months since their last dose.
- Those aged 65 and above must have a gap of 3 months since their last booster/dose.
If you have been unfortunate enough to have had a bout of Covid, you must be 28 days clear of infection before having a Covid booster, or first vaccination.
The Home Visiting Team will be providing booster vaccinations to care homes for the elderly, and to our housebound patients in the eligible groups.
SHINGLES
A vaccine to prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease has been offered to those in 70-79 age group. This is now changing with an increased roll out to those who are younger.
From 1 September 2023:
- Those aged 70-79 will still be able to get the shingles vaccine from their GP practice. They will either be offered one dose of Zostavax or two doses of Shingrix (6 to 12 months apart)
- All those aged 50 and over with a weakened immune system will be offered two doses of the Shingrix vaccine by their GP practice (8 weeks to 6 months apart).
- Those turning 65 and 70 will be offered two doses of the Shingrix vaccine (6 to 12 months apart) by their GP practice as they become eligible (eligibility will go down to 60 years old in September 2028).
Research has shown that once people turn 80 it is no longer effective.
For NHS information regarding shingles vaccinations click HERE
Dependant on age, the shingles vaccine is usually given as a single injection into the upper arm. You can have it at any time of the year.
The shingles vaccine is expected to reduce your risk of getting shingles. If you do go on to have the disease, your symptoms may be milder and the illness shorter.
Shingles can be very painful and uncomfortable. Some people are left with pain lasting for years after the initial rash has healed. Shingles is also fatal for around 1 in 1,000 over-70s who develop it.
It's fine to have the shingles vaccine if you've already had shingles. Once you've had it, you don't need to have another. The shingles vaccine works very well in people who have had shingles before and it will boost your immunity against further shingles attacks.
The surgery will be reminding patients that are eligible for this vaccine to make an appointment with the Practice Nurse. If you think you are eligible for a Shingles vaccination and haven't yet been contacted, please get in touch.
PNEUMONIA
A wealth of information about pneumonia and the vaccine you can have against it can be found at Pneumonia Aware
Like the shingles vaccination it is usually a once-only vaccination.