Immunisations

Immunisation Information For AWMP Patients

Autumn Flu Clinics - A text message will be sent out to eligible patients in August which will provide a link to self-book the appointment.

The dates of these immunisation clinics will be Thursday 1st October and Tuesday 6 October 2026.

Flu and Covid Clinic Information

  • If you are wearing multiple layers you will need to be able to have your upper arm exposed and ready for the clinician.
  • Please be mindful that the clinicians will not have capacity during your appointment to discuss any other medical matters.
  • Everyone has an allocated time slot to avoid long delays – we will endeavour to get you in for your vaccination(s) as quickly as possible.

Parking on site is limited – please be mindful of this when attending your appointment.

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NHS England are rolling out a large vaccination programme starting this autumn which will comprise of the following vaccinations:

  • Flu (including children)
  • COVID
  • RSV
  • Shingles
  • Pneumonia

 

Flu and COVID vaccinations:

For information about these vaccination programmes, please click on this link:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well/

Flu vaccinations

The NHS flu vaccination programme for the 2026/27 season begins on September 1, 2026 for children and pregnant women. All other eligible adult cohorts can receive their vaccines starting October 1, 2026. The campaign will run until March 31, 2027, with the primary goal of completing vaccinations before winter. School-aged children from reception to year 11 will be immunised at school.   The NHS recommends the flu jab to protect yourself from severe illness, reduce the spread of the virus to vulnerable individuals, and ease pressure on healthcare services during the busy winter months

Eligibility

The NHS provides the flu jab for free to individuals most at risk of developing severe illness. Eligible groups include:

  • People aged 65 and over
  • Pregnant women
  • Individuals aged 6 months to 64 years with certain underlying health conditions (e.g., respiratory disease, diabetes, heart conditions, weakened immune systems)
  • Frontline health and social care workers
  • People living in long-stay residential care
  • Carers and those who live with vulnerable individuals
  • People aged 16 and over experiencing homelessness
  • Children aged 2 and 3

Axbridge & Wedmore Medical Practice will be inviting eligible patients to book, via text message, in August with clinic dates commencing Thursday, 1st October and Tuesday, 6th October 2026.

RSV vaccine (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) under recognised in adults – this is a new vaccine

  • Clinical presentation is similar to flu
  • Severity of illness is similar to flu
  • It is associated with heart disease & chronic lung disease
  • A single dose of vaccine will help to boost protection as patients reach an age group at highest risk of serious RSV infection.

Eligibility

  • From April 2026, patients aged 75 years and older as well as adults of any age living in a care home for older adults will be eligible for a free vaccine and pregnant women from 28 weeks. 
  • An upcoming September 2026 expansion will also include adults aged 65 to 74 in specific clinical risk groups.

RSV vaccine is given all year round and we will be inviting eligible patients in due course

Please find below link to helpful Q and A on RSV

Nurse Kathy RSV75 Video1 100226.mp4 - Google Drive

Shingles

  • Everyone aged between 70 and 79 years is eligible for the shingles vaccine up to 79 years of age.
  • If you are 65 on or after 1 September 2023 you are also eligible for your shingles vaccine.
  • If you are aged 18 and over with a severely weakened immune system you will be eligible for shingles

Pneumonia

The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against some types of bacterial infections that can cause serious illnesses like:

  • meningitis (an infection in the brain and spinal cord)
  • sepsis (a life-threatening reaction to an infection)
  • pneumonia (an infection in the lungs)

It can also help protect against other illnesses such as sinusitis and ear infections.

Eligibility

  • Babies - 1st dose at 12 weeks and a booster dose at 1 year
  • People aged 65 and over
  • 1 dose when you're 65
  • Children and adults at higher risk of getting seriously ill at least 1 dose (some people may need extra doses or regular doses)

These vaccinations will be carried out within the surgery in specific clinics with our nursing team.

As some vaccines cannot be administered at the same time therefore you may have multiple invites for multiple clinics.

Information on all these vaccines will be provided prior to attendance – this will take the form of posters, text message links to our website, or in a letter.

The criteria for these vaccines is dictated by NHS England. Eligible patients for these vaccines will be invited to attend the appropriate clinic.