Thank you to all of our eligible patients who have booked their winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination/s at the Practice this winter .
In summary:
• Latham House Medical Practice will be delivering both vaccines in 2025 to eligible patients.
• Flu vaccinations will be available through arranged clinics, including a Super Saturday clinic scheduled for 04 October.
• The COVID-19 vaccination programme runs from 01 October – 31 January 2026 and we will be offering this vaccine to eligible patients throughout the duration of the NHS programme .
• Research has found that it is safe for people to receive a flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine, but it remains patient choice if they wish to have both in one consultation.
• All eligible patients have been contacted to book directly into planned clinics as they become available.
• Flu vaccinations are planned nationally to start with pregnant women and children as the priority, the NHS suggest from 01 September. This start date is vaccine delivery dependant for GP Practices, we estimate that we can start mid-September locally.
• Evidence suggests that efficacy of the vaccine in adults is improved if the vaccine is given closer to when flu virus is more prominent (typically winter months) hence the delayed start of October for eligible adults.
Eligibility
Eligible cohorts for flu vaccination are based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
From 1 September 2025:
• pregnant women
• all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025
• primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6) – these will be delivered at school unless deemed high risk.
• secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11) – these will be delivered at school unless deemed high risk.
• all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years.
From October 2025, exact start date TBC by NHS England:
• those aged 65 years and over
• those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book
• carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person.
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• frontline workers in a social care setting (Clinical and non-clinical roles)
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility is defined as:
• residents in a care home for older adults
• all adults aged 75 years and over.
• persons aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed.
If the Practice are unable to support your vaccination/s this year, you can contact the NHS booking service on 119 or visit the NHS vaccination and booking services website to find out more.
Local pharmacies are also offering winter vaccinations and can be contacted directly.
