Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health. They prevent up to 3 million deaths worldwide every year.
Since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either gone or seen very rarely.
Other diseases like measles and diphtheria have been reduced by up to 99.9% since their vaccines were introduced.
However, if people stop having vaccines, it’s possible for infectious diseases to quickly spread again.
Why vaccines are safe
All vaccines are thoroughly tested to make sure they will not harm you or your child.
It often takes many years for a vaccine to make it through the trials and tests it needs to pass for approval.
Once a vaccine is being used in the UK it’s also monitored for any rare side effects by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Anyone can report a suspected side effect of vaccination to the MHRA through the Yellow Card Scheme.
Which vaccinations are offered at the GP surgery?
We follow the NHS vaccination schedule
Childhood vaccinations
Locally, the school vaccination programme should be offering
- HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine for 12 to 13 year old girls in year 8 and boys aged 12 to 13 years at school in year 8
- DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio) teenage booster for 13 to 14 year old girls and boys in year 9
- Meningococcal (Meningitis) ACWY vaccine for 13 to 14 year old girls and boys in year 9
- Seasonal influenza (‘flu) vaccination (Reception class and years 1, 2, 3, 4,5 and 6)
If your child is absent during the school vaccines
Parents can call the catch-up clinic for those children who have been absent during school vaccination programmes or for young people who are educated at home or have an individual need
- https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/community-services/child-immunisation-service
- Ground Floor, Peckwater Centre 6 Peckwater Street London NW5 2TX
- Telephone: 020 3317 5076 (Immunisation office) or 020 3317 5074 (Immunisation Nurse)
- 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
At the surgery, we usually see children at
- 8 weeks
- 12 weeks
- 16 weeks
- 1 year
- 2-3 years for the nasal seasonal flu vaccination
- 3 years and 4 months
If your child has not been seen by the nurse and received their immunisations they may be late and therefore not protected. You can have a look in the red book, but if in doubt, do not hesitate to contact us ASAP.
Pregnant women
We offer vaccination against the whooping cough from 16 weeks of pregnancy to protect newborns form a potentially lethal disease. We offer the flu jab during the flu season
Find out moreAdults 50 years old and over
We offer vaccinations against the flu to adults 50 years and over
We offer vaccinations against pneumococcal infection (which can cause pneumonia, blood poisoning and meninigitis) to adults 65 years and over
We offer vaccinations against shingles to adults 70 years and over
At risk people, people with underlying health conditions
We offer a range of vaccinations for people at risk and will invite you.
COVID-19 vaccination:
We do not offer this at our surgery but strongly recommend that you get vaccinated / get a booster to protect yourself and others
You can find some local centres or use the national booking system
Travel vaccination:
NHS travel vaccinations can be booked in with our nurse via reception, however not all travel vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they’re recommended for travel to a certain area. For these vaccinations our nurse will signpost you to local private travel vaccination clinics or local pharmacies who offer travel health services .