How we’re helping protect people from flu and RSV
Every autumn, we offer vaccines to help protect people who are more likely to become seriously ill from flu, RSV and other infections.
This year, we’re working closely with Gosforth and Jesmond Health (GJH). We want to make it easier for people to get their vaccines.
Why vaccination matters
Flu and RSV can make some people very poorly. This is more likely if you are older or have certain health conditions.
Getting vaccinated gives you extra protection. It can help protect you before flu and RSV start to spread more widely over the autumn and winter.
Vaccines can also help protect the people around you. This includes people who are more at risk of serious illness.
For more about this year’s vaccines, who can have them and why they are offered, see our guide to Vaccine Season guide and flu article.
So, what are we doing to make it easier for people to get the jabs they need?
Working together across Gosforth and Jesmond
The six GP practices work together through Gosforth and Jesmond Health (GJH), our Primary Care Network (PCN).
Working together means we can offer things that would be harder for us to do on our own. Home visits, weekend clinics and extra appointments, for example.
This year, we’re using that team approach to help more people get their flu and RSV vaccines.
A new area-wide flu clinic
In October, patients aged 18 to 64 from all six practices were invited to a weekend flu clinic. The clinic was for people at higher risk from flu.
GJH organised the clinic at Regent Medical Centre in Gosforth. Nurses from all six practices came together to give the vaccines.
Nearly 550 patients got their flu vaccine over the first weekend in October.
Bringing the six practices together meant we could offer lots of weekend appointments in one local place. Patients were still seen by nurses from our own practices.
We kept things simple and quick. Patients checked in and gave their consent. They then had their vaccine. Appointments were booked every three minutes. Take a quick look at what patients experienced when they arrived at Regent Medical Centre.
It was a great first PCN-wide flu clinic. We hope to do more next year, possibly with more weekend clinics and more groups of patients.
See how the clinic worked
A big thank you to Regent Medical Centre for hosting the clinic. And thank you to the vaccination team for giving up their weekend to make it happen.
Bringing RSV vaccination to patients at home
Working together also means we can help people who find it harder to get to a GP practice or pharmacy.
People who are mostly housebound can face extra barriers when they need healthcare. Getting to an appointment can be difficult. We want to make sure they do not miss out on important vaccines.
This year, more people can have the RSV vaccine. People aged 65 to 74 with respiratory conditions or a weakened immune system are now included.
We’re working with GJH to offer the RSV vaccine at home to housebound patients.
Our vaccination team will visit people from all six practices in small local groups. This means the team can see more people each day. It also helps people get protected sooner.
The RSV vaccine gives lasting protection from one dose. Unlike the flu vaccine, you do not need to have it every year.
📞 You may receive a call about an RSV vaccination
Later this month, GJH will be ringing patients who can have the vaccine at home.
If you, a relative or a neighbour gets a call from the Gosforth and Jesmond Health team, please be reassured. It is a genuine NHS vaccination offer on behalf of our practice.
The team may tell you that a nurse will be working in your area. They may then offer you a visit. The call is being made on behalf of, and in partnership with, your GP practice.
If you’re offered a vaccine, please have it
If you’re offered a vaccine, we encourage you to have it. Vaccines are safe and free through the NHS. They give you the best chance of protecting yourself from serious illness.
For more information about who can have each vaccine this autumn, see our Vaccine Season guide.
To find out more about Gosforth and Jesmond Health and how they work with our practice and other local GP practices, visit gosforthjesmondhealth.co.uk