From 1 September 2024, those who turn 75 and those age 75 to 79 will be eligible for a free vaccine to protect them from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. RSV infection often causes symptoms similar to a cold, including:

• cough
• sore throat
• sneezing
• a runny or blocked nose

It can also make you become wheezy or short of breath and lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions. There is no specific treatment, and most infections will get better by themselves. Every year thousands of older adults need hospital care for RSV, and some of them will die. RSV can be more severe in people with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system.

Please contact the surgery if you are eligible to book your RSV vaccination with the Nurse.

Your guide to the RSV vaccine for older adults - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Covid & Flu Clinics - We are now taking bookings for all patients eligible for Flu and Covid Vaccinations.  Please contact the surgery to book your vaccination.

Patients in the below catagories are all entitled to a flu vaccine and the majority of patients in the list below are also entitled to a covid vaccine:

• are aged 65 or over
• have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant
• live in a care home
• are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• live with someone who has a weakened immune system.

How to help our clinics run smoothly when attending Abington Medical Centre:

• Please do not attend if you have a high temperature/fever
• Be prepared for the weather in the event you have to wait outside for a short period.
• Wear a short sleeved top so your arm is easily accessible.
• Turn up for your appointment at the time given to you.
• Cancel if you cannot attend so we can offer your appointment to someone else.