COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations in Somerset
Last updated: 21 October 2022
Here you will find all the latest information you need about getting your Covid-19 and/or Flu vaccinations in Somerset. To find the right information, please choose from the following:
Why the flu vaccination is important
Flu vaccination is important because, while flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and even life threatening for some people, particularly those with certain health conditions.
Anyone can get flu and pass it on. The flu vaccine is effective at stopping this.
Catching flu can make us seriously unwell, resulting in days in bed, taking time off work, missing things we enjoy doing, and not being able to do easy day-to-day tasks.
This winter, we will all have less immunity to flu and are therefore more likely to catch flu because we have not had flu in general circulation since 2019. Click on the FAQs below to find out how to get your flu vaccination in Somerset.
Who can have the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to the following people. Many employers also offer the vaccination to staff. If you are not eligible for a free vaccination this winter, you will be able to book and pay for a local vaccination from a pharmacist near you for as little as £14.
Eligible for free vaccination if you:
- Aged 50+ ((including those who will be 50 years old by 31 March 2023)
- Have certain health conditions
- Are pregnant
- Are in long-stay residential care
- Receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- Live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
- Children. Some children will be eligible for a free flu nasal spray. For more information, click here/
Where you can get the flu vaccine
You can have the NHS flu vaccine at:
- your GP surgery
- a pharmacy offering the service – if you’re aged 18 or over
- some maternity services if you’re pregnant
- Sometimes, you might be offered the flu vaccine at a hospital appointment.
If you have a flu vaccine at any NHS service except your GP surgery, you do not have to tell the surgery to update your records. This will be done for you. If you’ve been given a flu vaccine privately, or through an occupational health scheme, you can tell your GP surgery if you would like it added to your NHS record
How to book your appointment
If you’re eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can book an appointment at your GP surgery or online from a pharmacy that offers it on the NHS. Click here.
You may also receive an invitation to get vaccinated, but you do not have to wait for this before booking an appointment.
Everyone who is eligible for the free flu vaccine will be able to get it.
Who should not have the flu vaccine?
Most adults can have the flu vaccine, but you should avoid it if you have had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past.
You may be at risk of an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine injection if you have an egg allergy. This is because some flu vaccines are made using eggs.
Ask a GP or pharmacist for a low-egg or egg-free vaccine.
If you’re ill with a high temperature, it’s best to wait until you’re better before having the flu vaccine.
Information on Flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster
If you’re eligible for the free flu vaccine, it’s likely you can get the coronavirus (COVID-19) seasonal booster.
Getting both vaccines is important because:
- more people are likely to get flu this winter
- you’re more likely to be seriously ill if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time
- It’s safe to have both vaccines at the same time, but you need to book them separately.
- If you’re eligible for either vaccine, you do not need to wait to be contacted to get vaccinated.
Where to find further information about the Flu vaccine
This page is an overview of the flu vaccination for adults. You can find more detailed information here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flu-vaccination-who-should-have-it-this-winter-and-why
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flu-leaflet-for-people-with-learning-disability
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/
Somerset COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
The Covid-19 vaccination is our first line of defence against the coronavirus and the very best way to keep communities safe.
IMPORTANT UPDATES:
– The Autumn Booster and general Booster programme ended on the 12th February.
– A Spring Booster will be announced with more details in due course.
– An evergreen offer of 1st & 2nd jabs for anyone who has yet to have theirs will remain available for the time being. These are available to anyone aged 5* and over (*must be aged 5 before 1st September 2022) and appointments can be made via the national booking service.
Who is eligible for a vaccination or booster?
We are offering:
- 1st and 2nd vaccinations for all eligible over 18’s
- 1st and Second vaccinations for children aged between 5-11
(children who turned 5 on or after 1 September 2022 can only get a 1st and 2nd dose of a COVID-19 vaccine if they’re either: at high risk due to a health condition or because of a weakened immune system OR
living with someone who has a weakened immune system.
Further guidance can be found here: - 1st and second vaccinations for 12 -17’s
- A roving service to offer vaccinations to those who are homebound
- Appointments can be made online or by calling 119.
Details about eligibility from the JCVI can be found here.
Our hard-working vaccination teams and volunteers are there to make vaccination clinics run as smoothly as possible. Please remember to be kind.
Become a volunteer for the Somerset Covid Vaccination programme
If you have a few hours to spare and want to get involved in a worthwhile cause, you could consider a volunteering role, supporting the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Somerset.
So far over 1,400 Somerset residents have volunteered to support the programme, volunteering at vaccinations sites across the county; it’s been a real team effort, but we still need more people to come forward and offer their time. Volunteers provide crucial support to the programme by marshalling in car parks, and helping people move through the vaccination centre. They also help to ensure that social distancing is followed and identifying people who need additional support or advice. The role is flexible and full training is provided to those who volunteer.
Spark Somerset is helping to coordinate all of the volunteer stewards and marshals – so if you are interested in becoming part of an amazing team, working to protect our community please click here to register your interest: www.sparkachange.org.uk – and where you’ll find hundreds of other ways to volunteer in Somerset too!
HOW TO GET YOUR VACCINATIONS
It’s easy and straight forward to get your jabs. You can either book an appointment via
BOOK: You can book via the National Booking Service online or by calling 119.
COMMUNITY PHARMACIES HAVE PLENTY OF COVID-19 VACCINATION SLOTS TO HELP PROTECT OUR SOMERSET COMMUNITY.
As well as our dedicated vaccination clinics, community pharmacies in Somerset are playing their part in helping our community get vaccinated, as quickly and easily as possible; offering them the best protection against covid.
To book, call the National Booking service on 119 or go online.