BREAKING NEWS!!
We have just received an email from NHS Forth Valley to inform us that we should receive a very limited supply of vaccines to be given to patients who otherwise wouldn't be eligible between the ages of 60 and 64. Unfortunately the patients aged 55-60 without underlying medical conditions or who fit the other eligibility criteria listed below will not be offered a vaccine till January 2021. We are hugely disappointed with this news as we have the clinics scheduled and staffed ready to go. Anyone aged between 60 and 64 who wishes a flu vaccine this year and who has not had one previously from the NHS please telephone the practice to arrange an appointment at our clinic on the 4th of December 2020. The supply we are to receive is nowhere near what we ordered but we will accommodate as many people as we can.
Flu Vaccines: Flu vaccine appointments available on Friday 4th of December at the Kirk Hall - please telephone the practice to arrange. Please read below to check eligibility.
Unfortunately we have been informed by NHS Forth Valley that there is no date yet for delivery of the vaccines for patients aged 55-64 who previously have not been eligible for the flu vaccine. This was a new cohort of patients that the Scottish Government announced would be entitled to a vaccine this year. We have been waiting patiently for delivery but have been advised now that this will not be in the near future. This is outwith our control and unfortunately we can only offer appointments once we have a supply.
We are still going ahead with a clinic to catch up with those in other eligible groups who did not make an appointment when we did our clinics in October. Those eligible include:
- Anyone aged over 65
- Anyone aged 18-64 with underlying health conditions: asthma, COPD, diabetes, coronary heart disease, ischaemic heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, prev strokes or TIAs, coeliac disease, BMI of over 40, anyone on immunosuppression medication and anyone who is pregnant. If you are unsure if you fall into any of these categories please check with the practice before booking an appointment as if you do not qualify we would need to turn you away on the day.
- Carers - if you are a carer - paid or unpaid you are entitled to a flu vaccine.
- Anyone living in a household of somebody who was on the Government's Official Shielding list - ie they received a letter from Scottish Government in April/May advising them to shield are also entitled
- Children aged 2-5
- Primary school children who missed their nasal flu at school
This will be our last catch up clinic as we are now well underway in making plans for rolling out the covid vaccine should that be licensed and available in December.
Obviously, should we get a supply of the vaccine for the 55-64 year olds we will run a clinic specifically for this cohort.
It will be practice staff carrying out all the vaccines so we appreciate our patients understanding that during this time there will be significantly reduced appointments for our nursing team and GP telephone consultation appointments. We will have a core staff remaining at the practice to deal with urgent issues on the vaccination days.
Covid Testing
Please note we are unable to access testing for our patients. We have no way of speeding up testing or the obtaining of results. This must be done through the NHS inform website or calling 111 and they will advise you further.