Vaccination Information

Spring COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Information for patients - updated 2nd May 2024

You may be offered a spring COVID-19 vaccine from April 2024 if you:

are aged 75 years old or over *
live in a care home for older adults
are aged 6 months old or over and have a weakened immune system.

* This includes people who turn 75 years old by 30 June 2024 who will be eligible for a vaccination at any point in the campaign. People who are admitted to an older adult care home or become immunosuppressed by 30 June are also eligible.

We are unable to offer a COVID-19 booster vaccination, but you will be contacted by the Dorset Vaccination Service if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible for a seasonal spring COVID-19 vaccine. The National Booking System (NBS) is also open for eligible people to book, cancel or change a COVID booster vaccination appointment. Please follow this link to the National Booking System>>

For guidance for people whose immune system means they are at higher risk please visit the Gov.UK website for more information by following this link>>

Vaccination against Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)

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.

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.

Follow this link to visit the NHS website for information on how to check if you or your child has measles>>

Shingles Vaccinations

The eligibility for a free NHS Shingles vaccine changed from the 1st of 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 1^st 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.

Follow this link to download and view the NHS Shingles Vaccination expansion programme schedule for information on when your age group will become eligible>>

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>>

Pneumococcal vaccine for over 65s

Protection against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections.

A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. But some people such as adults aged 65 or over are at higher risk of serious illness.

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, blood poisoning (sepsis) and meningitis.

People aged 65 and over only need a single pneumococcal vaccination. This vaccine is not given annually like the flu jab. For more information visit the Pneumococcal vaccine overview page on the NHS website:>>

Please contact us to book an appointment>>

Men ACWY Vaccination

A rare but life-threatening disease caused by meningococcal bacteria.

Meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) is a rare but life-threatening disease caused by meningococcal bacteria.

Older teenagers and new university students are at higher risk of infection because many of them mix closely with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria at the back of their nose and throat.

"Fresher" students going to university for the first time should make sure they've had the MenACWY vaccine to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, which can be deadly. The MenACWY vaccine is also routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10.

Anyone born on or after 1 September 1996 who was eligible but missed their teenage MenACWY vaccine can still have the vaccine up to their 25th birthday. For more information visit the MenACWY vaccine overview page on the NHS website:>>.

Please contact us to book an appointment>>