Influenza Vaccination

Read more about our annual Flu campaign.

The routine immunisation schedule

Tetanus

Tetanus is a horrible infection that can be prevented by vaccination. It is caught from cuts or bites and the germ lives in the soil. People who take up the routine immunisation schedule have their last routine inoculation aged 14 years.

People need a tetanus booster vaccination if 10 or more years have passed since their last booster, and only if:

• It is needed as part of a travel vaccination to the part of the world being visited
  
  
• You have a tetanus prone wound (a bite, a cut in the garden, stand on a rusty nail etc.)

If people have not completed a primary course of at least three injections, and they sustain a tetanus prone wound, they will need a course of three vaccinations to gain protection.

Hepatitis A

Vaccination against Hepatitis A consists of a course of two injection, ideally 6-12 months apart. If people have both injections this confers a minimum of 25 years cover (from last injection).

Hepatitis B

The full course consists of a course of three injections, the second being 1 month after the first dose and the third dose 6 months after the second dose. A few people do not acquire full immunity from this, and may need further boosters.

Typhoid

This consists of a single injection, and the protection it offers lasts for 3 years.

Pneumococcal

Vaccination consists of a one off vaccine. It is offered to all patients aged 65 years and over and to younger people with pre-existing diabetes, respiratory disease or heart disease, or people with no spleen.

Shingles

This is only available to patients aged 70-80 years of age. At the appropriate age patients will receive an invitation from the surgery.