How to get your vaccines and boost your immunity in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin

The annual flu vaccination programme is now underway across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, with many GP practices and pharmacies offering the flu jab. Those eligible, including people aged over 50, including those who’ll be 50 by 31 March 2022, pregnant women, frontline health care staff and school age children, are all being offered the free vaccine in the run up to winter. People in long-stay residential care homes and carers are also eligible, as well as close contacts of anyone who is immunocompromised.

Clinics will be run at various practices and pharmacies over the next couple of months and will be on an appointment-only basis.

Some pharmacies and GP Practices may have used all their first deliveries of flu vaccine; however, other pharmacies and GP Practices flu stock remain high. Flu vaccine is delivered to pharmacies and GP Practices in batches in the run up to and over the flu season. Pharmacies and GP Practices will be getting more deliveries of flu vaccination soon.

The COVID-19 booster programme will run alongside the flu programme, and many clinics across the area will be offering both doses at the same time, where possible, to those eligible for both types of vaccination.

Appointments for a COVID-19 booster dose can only be booked if it’s been at least six months or a minimum of 182 days since your second dose of the vaccine.  This means that if you are already eligible for a flu jab you should have this jab as soon as you can and not put it off until your booster is also due.

If you had your 2^nd COVID-19 vaccination at least 6 months (or a minimum of 182 days) ago i.e. before 23 April 2021 (as of today 22 Oct) you are eligible for a booster, you can walk-in for a COVID-19 booster (without a letter, text or email from the NHS), you can book an appointment to via the via the National Booking Service or by calling NHS 119 or, alternatively, if you prefer to be vaccinated at your GP surgery or primary care network (PCN) please wait to be contacted. For details of the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin walk-in clinics please visit: COVID-19 Vaccination Walk-in and Pop-up Clinics (stwics.org.uk).

People are asked not to contact their GP to arrange their booster and flu jabs.  Your GP Practice or PCN will be in touch to invite you to book an appointment at a vaccination clinic.

Steve Ellis, Service Director and Deputy Senior Responsible Officer for the Covid-19 Vaccination Service in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said: “The NHS is incredibly busy and we need you to stand by us this winter. Please have both the annual flu and booster Covid vaccinations if you are eligible. Getting the booster vaccine is vital for all people who had their second dose of the COVID vaccination six months ago as protection from the vaccine does drop over time, and the booster vaccination will give people at greatest risk important extra protection. If you still haven’t had your first or second dose of the Covid jab, it’s not too late you can get your COVID-19 vaccinations by attending a walk-in clinic.”