Flu

Seasonal flu vaccinations are available for eligible patients each year, usually commencing in September/October. Watch out for notices on here or in the surgery when we start to arrange our flu clinics, so that you can book your appointment.

MSMC FLU FAQ

When Are the Clinics at MSMC?

There will initially be three Saturday Clinics on the 24th September, the 1st October and the 8th October.

There will be evening clinic appointments available to book when the weekend clinics have finished.

We receive the Children's vaccine later than the adult vaccine, so their clinics will be towards the end of October. If your child is eligible, you will receive an invitation to book in.

How Can I Book a flu jab?

Your Surgery will either send you a text message with an invitation and link to book the appointment online as soon as the clinics are available.

Alternatively, if you do not have a mobile phone, or have not changed your mobile phone to your preferred method of contact, you will receive a letter or email with details on how to book your appointment through our dedicated flu phone line.

Please note that you will not be able to call for an appointment through the reception teams on the normal surgery contact number.

Why have I received a text message saying I am not eligible this year?

Groups eligible for influenza vaccination are based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The programme aims to provide direct protection to those who are at higher risk of influenza associated morbidity and mortality and to reduce transmission to all age groups through the vaccination of children.

The 2 March 2022 letter confirmed that those eligible for the NHS influenza programme are the cohorts offered vaccine prior to the pandemic.

Cohorts that were eligible in the 2021 to 2022 season but that are not included in the cohorts for 2022 to 2023 are: see update

those aged 50 to 64 years
secondary school children in Years 7 to 11 (between 11 and 15 years of age on 31 August 2022)

UPDATE

The JCVI have reinstated the offer of a flu vaccine to anyone over 50. Surgeries are still obliged to offer the vaccine to their most vulnerable cohorts first. If you are in the over 50 eligible cohort, you will be sent an invitation when your surgery has completed vaccinations of their vulnerable cohorts.

Can My Carer Get a Flu Vaccine at the Same Time as Me?

If your Carer is registered with any of the surgeries at Mowbray Square Medical Centre as a patient, and have informed us of their status as a carer, then they will be eligible for the flu and you can book your flu vaccines at the same time.

What if I miss my appointment?

If you miss your appointment, you will be sent a further invitation to another clinic.

What if my appointment link expires?

If your appointment link expires before you have chance to book an appointment, you will be sent a further invitation to another clinic.

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

If you have a system online account, you can cancel your appointment online. Alternatively, you can call the dedicated Flu Line 01423 856515. Please do not contact your Surgery as the Reception teams will not be able to assist with this.

What if I don't want to have the vaccine?

If you want to opt out of having the vaccine, and being invited to this year's flu clinics, you can:

Text "Not for flu" and add your Name, date of birth and which surgery you are registered with to 07546927017. Do not call this number as it will not be answered.
Email "Not for flu" and add your Name, date of birth and which surgery you are registered with. mspcn.sms@nhs.net Please do not send clinical info to this email as is it not monitored by the individual Surgeries.

Parking for the Saturday Clinics

There is limited parking at Mowbray Square Medical Centre. If you live within walking distance and don't have mobility issues, please try to walk to the building so that parking can be used by people who really need it.

Access to the Surgeries

The Saturday flu clinics will take place on the ground floor of the building and your surgeries will be closed. The weekend clinics will be strictly for flu vaccines only. We will be unable to triage any conditions or carry out any administrative tasks.