LITTLE WALTHAM & GREAT NOTLEY SURGERY
FLU VACCINATION
Flu clinics will be held in October this year for all patients entitled to a free vaccination.
Further information will be available on our flu line in September (dial the normal surgery number and
press option 6). Information will also appear on notices in the surgery and on our website
www.littlewalthamsurgery.co.uk. Patients who have not had their jab by the end of October will receive a
reminder letter from the surgery.
YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A FREE VACINATION IF YOU FALL INTO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:
• People aged 65 or over
• All pregnant women
• People with a serious medical condition such as:
 chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as severe asthma( on regular medication in the last
15months),chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis;
 chronic heart disease, such as heart failure;
 chronic kidney disease at stage 3, 4 or 5;
 chronic liver disease;
 chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson's disease or motor neurone disease;
 diabetes;
 Weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer
treatment).
 People living in long-stay residential care homes or nursing homes
 Carers
FLU VACCINATION FOR 2 AND 3 YEAR OLDS
The annual flu immunisation programme has been extended to children aged two and three years on the
1st September 2013 (i.e. date of birth on or after 2 September 2009 and on or before 1 September 2011).
SHINGLES VACCINE
Shingles can be very painful and tends to affect people more commonly as they get older. And the older
you are, the worse it can be. For some, the pain can last for many years. There is now a vaccine that can
reduce your risk of getting shingles or reduce the severity of its symptoms should you develop the disease.
From 1 September 2013, we plan to offer routine vaccinations to people aged 70 years old to provide
protection against shingles and start a catch-up immunisation programme for people aged 79 years
YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A FREE SHINGLES VACCINATION IF YOUR DATE OF BIRTH IS BETWEEN:
2nd September 1942 and 1st September 1943, inclusive or 2nd September 1933 and 1st September 1934,
inclusive
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The eligibility criteria for all vaccinations are set by the Department of Health and are reviewed each year.
If you are uncertain whether or not you are entitled to a free vaccination please speak to a receptionist
who will check your eligibility with a GP. Further information can also be found at www.nhs.uk
A private vaccination service is offered by most local pharmacies for the patients who are not entitled to
free vaccines but wish to have them.