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Vaccination & Immunisation |
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We sometimes lose sight of and take for granted the benefits of immunisation. It's a bit like insurance - we only think about it when we need to make a claim and by then it is often too late. Immunisation is similar in that it is primarily designed to provide protection from rather than a cure for disease. Immunisation is still vitally important to offer the levels of protection from disease that is ever present in what, with the advances of travel, can only be described as a shrinking world. In recent years there have been outbreaks of polio and diphtheria in countries like Russia and some of the poorer former eastern block countries and of course there is the ever present threat in areas of the world suffering from natural disasters like famine or floods. In many cases the outbreaks have been due to poor immunisation programmes and/or a poor uptake of the immunisation offered. In response to these problems and risks the Department of Health changed the Mid-Teens booster to include a booster for diphtheria. At the Spinney we hold special clinics for childhood immunisations with the exception of the 15-16 year old boosters. These are held on Thursday afternoons with immunisations administered by our Practice Nursing Team. You will automatically receive appointments to attend the clinic as your child reaches the appropriate age. If your child is unwell or unable to attend the appointment for any reason then please let us know by telephone on 0844 477 3603 when arrangements will be made to attend a future appointment. You will also be reminded if your child is within the 15 - 16 year old category when you will be invited to telephone to make an appointment for the appropriate vaccinations to be administered. All travel related vaccinations are by way of appointment and you should telephone 0844 477 3603 in good time relative to your intended travel destination and timetable. See our web page Travel Advice for more information or visit any of the travel related web links featured on our Healthcare Links web page. If you have any questions about the various immunisations and vaccinations then please contact your health visitor on 01480 356238 / 01480 356275 or visit the immunisation website featured on our Healthcare Links web page. Childhood Immunisation Schedule8 weeks: First
12 weeks: Second
16 weeks: Third
12 - 18 months:First
13 months
3½ - 4½ years: Pre School Booster
15 - 16 years: Booster
Adult / Travel VaccinationsTetanus: 'Once every 5 years'? 'Once every 10 years'? NEITHER! The Department of Health guidelines recommend 5 documented tetanus jabs in your lifetime. Most young adults are covered for life, 3 jabs as a baby, one when starting school and another when leaving school. The only exception is in the event of a nasty dirty injury or travelling to an area where medical attention may be inaccessible and your last dose was more than 10 years ago. Please ask us about your tetanus status. Polio: Child immunisation is detailed above. All adults are usually immunised in childhood. The only adults needing polio protection are those who have never had a polio immunisation course (ask us to check your polio status) or those patients travelling to countries where polio immunisation is recommended. Grandparents of children who have had polio immunisation are advised to contact our Health Visitors on 01480 356238 / 01480 356275 for advice. There is no need to boost previously immunised adults who are not travelling abroad. Hepatitis A: Travellers to many countries are advised to have Hepatitis A immunisation. The first dose lasts 1 year, then a further vaccination booster after the first dose at 6 - 12 months extends the immunisation for 10 years. Sewage workers and Water-board workers should have both Hepatitis A and B immunisation. See our Travel Advice web page for more information. Hepatitis B: This immunisation is recommended for all health workers and other allied professions. The schedule for immunisation is:-
There are also more rapid courses for travel if required. See the Practice Nurse for information. If travelling abroad, and the department of health recommend vaccination with Hepatitis B this will be provided on the NHS. However, the NHS does not fund it if it is required for employment purposes – therefore the patient’s employer is required to pay. If this is not possible, or the patient wishes to fund this vaccine themselves, then we are not permitted to provide the vaccination however we can provide information as to where this vaccine can be administered locally. All patients are advised to check with the surgery on 0844 477 3603 as soon as their travel plans are known giving due regard to the immunisation timetable outlined above. Diptheria: This is required in certain conditions and is often given with the tetanus injection. See the Practice Nurse for details. BCG: Did you have this as a child? If not discuss with your GP or Practice Nurse. Yellow Fever: One dose lasts for ten years. Because the yellow fever is a live vaccine, if you are having oral polio this must be given at the same time or with a break of three weeks between each vaccination. This vaccine has to be supported by a certificate which only becomes valid ten days after the vaccine has been administered. The vaccine therefore must be administered at least ten days before the intended date of travel. This vaccine is not available under the NHS and a charge is made for the vaccine and certificate. Details of the current charges are available by reference to the Non-NHS Fees page on this website. Other vaccinations include Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies which are obtainable at the Surgery. If they are recommended by the Practice Nurse, please contact MASTA 01223 313969 for more information Typhoid: this injection lasts three years and is only boosted when needed. Mengivac A & C: is needed for certain countries - Ask Practice Nurse for Advice. MEN.VAX ACWY: is needed for MECCA, please see the Practice Nurse. Influenza: In 1999-2000 there was a flu epidemic. All patients who had had the flu jab had a high degree of protection. As a result it is now recommended that the following groups of patients should be immunised:
Immunisations are administered via special clinics usually held in October. Details of clinics will be announced via the noticeboard at the surgery and in the Newsletter.
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