Vaccinations
Stay Protected, Stay Healthy!
Vaccines are one of the safest and most effective ways to protect yourself, your family, and your community from serious diseases.
Why Vaccinate?
- To prevent serious illnesses like flu, measles, and pneumonia
- To protect those who are more vulnerable, like babies and the elderly
- To reduce the spread of infections in the community
- To keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
Vaccines help at every stage of life.
Scroll down to find out more about the free NHS vaccines that the Practice offers for babies, children, and adults.
Winter 2024/25 Flu Vaccination Information for Patients - updated 20th February 2025
We want to thank patients who have taken up the offer of a free seasonal flu vaccine this winter. Flu vaccination is important because, while flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and even life-threatening for some, particularly those with certain health conditions. Getting vaccinated helps protect individuals from flu and relieves the pressure on the NHS and social care services.
The winter flu vaccination programme finishes at the end of March each year. Eligible patients may contact us to book an appointment with a member of our nursing team to receive a Winter Flu vaccination until then.
Those eligible for 2024/25 Winter Flu Vaccinations by the Practice are:
- Aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
- Aged 18-64 years of age considered at risk (meet eligibility criteria outlined by the NHS*)
- Live with someone more likely to get a severe infection due to a health condition or weakened immune system
- Pregnant
- Receive a carer's allowance or are the primary carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk
- Frontline health workers and social care workers who cannot get the vaccine through an occupational health scheme at work.
* To establish if you are in an at-risk group, please download NHS Flu Risk Group information by following this link>>
The image below shows the vaccines offered by eligible group. Follow this link to download and view a PDF copy of this information>>
For further information on the flu vaccination, who should have it and why, please visit the HM Government website here>
Seasonal COVID-19 Vaccination - updated 20th February 2025
The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect against COVID-19, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. People at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 are invited to receive the vaccine, which is usually offered by the NHS in spring and early winter.
The COVID-19 vaccines are offered because viruses change, and protection fades over time. It's important to top up your protection if you're eligible.
The Autumn COVID Vaccination programme finished at the end of January 2025, and the Spring programme is expected to begin from the 1st of April 2025 and in end mid-June.
We’re advised that the eligible groups for the spring 2025 programme will cover:
- adults aged 75 years and over (including those who will be 75 by June 2025)
- residents in a care home for older adults
- individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a*
We will contact you to offer an appointment if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible.
Shingles vaccinations
The eligibility for a free NHS Shingles vaccine changed from September 2023
The Shingles vaccine helps protect you from shingles, a common, painful skin disease.
Previously, you could only have the shingles vaccine between the ages of 70 and 79. However anyone turning 65 on or after the 1st of September 2023 is able to get the vaccine after their birthday.
Please note that if you have your 65th birthday before the 1st of September 2023, you will have to wait until you are 70 to become eligible. Eligibility will then be expanded to include everyone aged 60 and over by September 2033.
From September, the shingles vaccine will also be available to those aged 50 or over with a severely weakened immune system. Immunocompromised individuals who have already received 2 doses of their Shingles Vaccine do not need re-vaccination.
You do not need to get in touch with us to request a shingles vaccine as patients are contacted when they become eligible. However if you are eligible and think you may have missed your vaccine, please contact us>>
The shingles vaccine is given as a single injection into the upper arm. Unlike the flu jab, you’ll only need to have the vaccination once, and you can have it at any time of the year.
For more information visit the Shingles vaccine overview page on the NHS website>>
Pneumonia vaccination
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections. It’s also known as the pneumonia vaccine.
Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and can lead to pneumonia, septicaemia (a kind of blood poisoning) and meningitis.
A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. But some people are at higher risk of serious illness, so it’s recommended they’re given the pneumococcal vaccination on the NHS.
These include:
- babies
- adults aged 65 or over
- children and adults who are at risk of pneumococcal infection, such as those with a serious heart or kidney infection including those with severe autoimmunity
This vaccine is not given annually like the flu jab. Usually you only need a single pneumococcal vaccination. If you have a long-term health condition you may only need a single, one-off pneumococcal vaccination, or a vaccination every 5 years, depending on your underlying health problem.
If you or a family member is in this group, please contact us to check eligibility.
For more information about the Pneumonia vaccine please visit the NHS website by following this link:>>
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine
The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine.
It protects against 3 serious illnesses:
These highly infectious conditions can easily spread between unvaccinated people.
In particular, measles is one of the world’s most infectious diseases with estimates showing that one infected adult or child can pass the disease onto around 15 other unvaccinated people.
There is currently no medical treatment for measles, however, two doses of the MMR vaccine can give someone effective lifelong protection against becoming seriously unwell with the disease.
Getting vaccinated is important, as these conditions can also lead to serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.
2 doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella. Contact us if you think you or your child may have missed either of these two doses.
The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine. Find out more here>>
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccinations
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious lung infections.
While RSV infection can occur at any age, the risk and severity of RSV and its complications are increased in older adults pregnant women and infants, having a considerable impact on these individuals and NHS services during the winter months.
Following guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), in June HM Government announced a vaccination delivery programme which commenced September 2024, for the protection of older adults, women who are at least 28 weeks pregrant and for infants.
Who is eligible?
What do I need to do?
The Barcellos Family Practice is inviting eligible patients to take up the offer a free RSV vaccine. If you receive an invitation from us, please contact us to book an appointment at the earliest opportunity.
Find out more on the NHS website here>>
Other Vaccinations Offered by the NHS
This guide can help you understand the vaccines offered in the UK and when to have them. It also explains how they work and why they’re safe and important. Follow this link for more information about vaccinations from NHS UK>>
If you have any questions or concerns regarding vaccinations, please contact us.
Travel Vaccinations
Foreign travel may expose patients to certain infections. So, If you're planning to travel outside the UK, find out what vaccinations you might need on our Travel Health page by following this link:>>
Childhood Immunisation
Childhood immunisation is an important aspect of your child's healthcare. For information on routine childhood immunisation, please visit our Children's Health page by following this link:>>
