Seasonal Flu Vaccination Clinics 2009
Please note these clinics are for the usual annual seasonal flu vaccinations. At present we do not have a date for when the vaccine against swine flu will be available, once we know we will arrange a separate clinic on another date. Please be advised the at risk groups for swine flu may differ from those for seasonal flu so those offered the swine flu jab on the NHS may differ from those offered seasonal flu vaccination. Those in the at risk groups for seasonal and swine flu will need to have both vaccinations.
The Practice will be running two seasonal Flu Vaccination Clinics this year.
Saturday, 10th October 2009, from 8.00 am to 12.30pm and Saturday 24th October 2009 from 8.00am to 12.30pm.
No appointment is necessary, just turn up to one of the above Clinics within the specified times.
Those eligible for a seasonal flu vaccination are patients aged 65 and over and those who suffer from any of the medical conditions listed below, who are in at risk groups:
- Chronic Respiratory Disease (including asthmatics taking regular preventative medication)
- Chronic Heart Disease
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Chronic Liver Disease
- Diabetes
- Weak immune system
In addition to those aged 65 and over and those in the at risk groups, the Department of Health also recommends that Healthcare Workers are vaccinated to help protect themselves and their patients. People living or working in nursing or residential homes should be vaccinated. Also, if you are a home-based carer of someone who needs vaccinating, you too should discuss flu vaccination with your Practice Nurse/Doctor.
The surgery will be very busy during the flu clinics so we ask that all patients who can park their car elsewhere do so, as we are limiting car parking to those patients who are disabled .
For patients who are outside the at risk groups and not entitled to flu vaccination on the NHS the following centres are providing flu vaccine on a private fee paying basis:
Day Lewis Pharmacy,17 Long Wyre Street,Colchester
Tel: 01206 562214 for further info or to book an appointment
The fee for the seasonal flu vaccine at Long Wyre Street will be £15
Oaks Hospital, 120 Mile End Road, Colchester Essex CO4 5XR: For information about times of clinics, price of vaccination and to book an appointment phone the enquiry line: 01206 753245.
Aviation Medica, 150B First Avenue Stansted Business Park Stansted Airport CM24 1RY Tel: 01279 661580
Flu Vaccinations Start 3rd October 2009 The Flu vaccination programme will be starting on Saturday 3rd October 2009. Then Mon 5th, Weds 7th & Fri 9th October. After that, every Monday & Friday. The price is £20.00.
Call on 01279 661580 for an appointment.
For further information about seasonal flu and the annual flu vaccination - follow this link- Flu Vaccine - NHS Website (http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/Flu)
Atrial Fibrillation Screening for 65 year olds and over
At our Flu Vaccination Clinic this year we will again be offering an additional service which is screening for a condition called AF (Atrial Fibrillation) for patients aged 65 or over. It is a fairly common condition in the elderly. About 4% of the over 65s may have this, rising to 8.8% in those over 80 years old.
It has been recognised as a commonly undiagnosed condition in the population. Those who have AF have a 5% risk factor for stroke.
Whilst your annual flu vaccination is being given your pulse will also be taken for 30 seconds.
If your pulse is regular no further screening will be required.
If your pulse is irregular you might have AF (please do not worry this does not require immediate diagnosis and/or treatment).
If you are found to have an irregular pulse you will be contacted by the Surgery over the following 4 weeks. You will be invited to attend the Surgery for further screening, which may involve you having an ECG (heart trace), a blood test and a clinical cardiovascular assessment by a doctor or nurse.
If you are diagnosed with AF this will lead to an overall evaluation of your cardiovascular risk which may require medication or treatment.
Please do not be concerned if you are told that you have an irregular pulse. However, if you are not offered an appointment within 4-6 weeks of your pulse being checked, please contact the Surgery for advice.
To read more about Atrial Fibrillation follow this link:
Atrial Fibrillation - Patient Information Leaflet from Patient UK
(http://www.patient.co.uk/pdf/pilsL10.pdf)
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