Seasonal Flu Vaccinations

Wednesday, 07 September 2011 11:16

Our last walk in session for Seasonal Flu Vaccinations is on Saturday 3rd December between 8-11am for the over 65's and 'at risk' groups. You can also book a flu vaccination appointment.

The Flu vaccination is made every year based on the most common strains of flu seen over the last year.

Flu (influenza) is a virus infection passed on by breathing in droplets of air from infected people. It can affect all age groups and causes fever, chills, headache, dry cough and aches and pains in the muscles.

You should be vaccinated every year against the flu virus if you are in one of the following at risk categories:

• aged 65 years and over
• have chronic respiratory disease, including asthma
• have a chronic heart disease
• have chronic kidney failure
• have diabetes
• pregnant women
• are at risk of infection due to poor immune function following disease or treatment
• live in a nursing home, residential home or other long stay facility

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you may not be able to have the vaccination and you should get advice from your doctor or a practice nurse beforehand:

do you have a fever or infection?
have you ever had a severe allergic reaction to eggs?
do you have an illness which may affect your immune system?
are you receiving medicines (such as steroid tablets) which may affect your immune system?
are you pregnant or do you think you may be?
are you breast feeding?
do you have any bleeding disorders such as haemophilia?
do you think that you may be allergic to flu vaccines?

After the injections, the side effects may include mild pain, redness or swelling at the site of the injection and fever or tiredness. These will last only a short time and will go away in a couple of days

Please inform practice staff as soon as possible if you are housebound and wish to be vaccinated. We will be arranging home visits for housebound patients.

Here's to a flu-free winter!

Medical Notes for School Children

Friday, 20 May 2011 00:00

Paxton Green Group Practice is not able to issue sick certification for children, under any circumstances.

Unfortunately, we will refuse any request made on behalf of any child for this.

To the school:

Please be aware that ‘sick notes’ are only issued by doctors to people of working age in relation to work or benefits.

We will not be issuing any letters or notes to children regarding illnesses or absence from school.

If a medical assessment of a child is required to be documented by a doctor, please contact the surgery and arrange for a report to be prepared, with written consent from a parent or guardian.

A report of this nature would generally cost in the region of £50 dependent upon the complexity.

The school would be charged for this.