NEWSLETTER - ISSUE 8 – September 2015
VACCINATION SPECIAL
GET PROTECTED AGAINST FLU, MENINGITIS & SHINGLES
GET YOUR INFLUENZA INJECTION TO PROTECT YOU DURING THE WINTER MONTHS
The injected flu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to people who are at risk. This is to ensure that they are protected against catching flu and developing serious complications.
THE FOLLOWING ARE PEOPLE CONSIDERED TO BE AT RISK.
PREGNANT WOMENIf you are pregnant you are advised to have the flu vaccine injection regardless of your stage of pregnancy – so from conception onwards. This is because there is strong evidence to suggest that pregnant women have an increased risk of developing complications if they catch the flu.
If you're pregnant, you will benefit from the flu vaccine because:
· it reduces your chance of gettingserious complications of flu, such as pneumonia, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy
· it reduces your risk of having a miscarriage, oryour baby being born prematurely or with a low birth weight because of the flu
· it will help protect yourbabyas they will continue to have some immunity to flu forthe first few months oftheir life
ALL PEOPLE OVER 65 YEARSYou are eligible for the flu vaccine this year (2015-16)if you are aged 65 and over on March 312016–that is, you were born on or before March 31 1951. So, if you are currently 64 but will be 65 on March 31 2016, you do qualify.
PEOPLE WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONSThe injectedflu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to anyone with a serious long-term health condition. That includes these types ofillnesses:
· chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma(which requires aninhaled or tablet steroid treatment, or has led to hospital admission in the past),chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or bronchitis
· chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
· chronic kidney disease
· chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
· chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease or motor neurone disease
· diabetes
· problems with your spleen;for example, sickle cell disease or if your spleen has been removed.
· a weakened immune systemas the result ofconditions such as HIVand AIDS, or medicationsuchas steroid tablets or chemotherapy
ELIGIBLE CHILDRENThe children's nasal spray flu vaccine is for two-, three- and four-year-olds, and children in school years one and two, plus children with long-term health problems.
The vaccine will be offered routinely to all children aged two, three and four. That is, children with a date of birth on or after September1st 2010 and on or beforeAugust31 2013.
Healthy children will receive single dose.
Children between 2 to 17 years who are at risk will require 2 doses 1 month apart
Children 6months to 2 years who are at risk will need flu injections
MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINATIONThe new programme makes England the first country in the world to offer a national, routineand publicly funded Men B vaccination programme.
MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINATION (MenB) FOR BABIESThe Men Bvaccineis recommendedfor babies aged2 months, followed by a second dose at4 months, and a booster at 12 months. Thereis also atemporary catch-up programme forbabies who are due their 3- and 4-month vaccinations in September 2015, to protect them when they are most at risk.
The Men Bvaccine will protect your baby against infection by meningococcal group B bacteria, which are responsible for more than 90% of meningococcal infections in young children. Meningococcal infections can be very serious, causing meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning), which can lead to severe brain damage, amputations and, in some cases, death.
MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINATION (MenACWY) FOR STUDENTS STARTING UNIVERSITYThe meningococcal vaccination is being introduced in response to an increase in cases of invasive meningococcal (brain) disease. There have been increasing outbreaks of this disease in universities among students. If you have a child starting university or you are a student about to start, then please go to your GP and ask for the injection so You can be protected against this serious disease.
SHINGLES VACCINATIONAdditional people in their 70s are now eligible for free shingles vaccinations. If you were born on or before02/09/1942 and 01/09/1945 or between 02/09/1935 and 01/09/1937 then talk to the nurse of doctor and get vaccinated against this horrible and painful disease.
PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUPThe Patient Participation Group (PPG) meets in the surgery four times a year to talk about health care in the community; matters that might arise in the NHS either at National level, or the doctor’s surgery.
We need new members. Younger people and mothers with children are under-represented in the group. This means that the needs of those groups do not always get noticed or discussed. If you care about the health care of yourself or your family, please spare the time to come to these meeting. They last a couple of hours 4 times a year and Dr Patel provides very good snacks and drinks for those coming straight from work. Please come and have a say in the provision of your health care.
For patients at school or college the practice are happy to provide work experience in the surgery? It would look good on a CV! Look at the surgery web page www.chamberlayneroadsurgery.co.uk to see previous minutes and Newsletters from this group and if you would like to join the group or help in the surgery tell the doctor, the nurse or the receptionist.
Chamberlayne Road Surgery – 124 Chamberlayne Road, London NW10 3JP Tel:02082066590 Website: www.chamberlayneroadsurgery.co.ukOpening hours: Mon-Frid 09.00-1300; Mon/Tues/Wed/Frid/16:00-18:00;
Extended hours on Tues 18.30-19:50.