The 2018 flu season: locally 2,400 have already had their jabs

There has been quite a lot of chat in the national media about delays with this year’s flu vaccination programme and people have been asking marlborough.news why the jabs are later than usual.  So what is the situation in Marlborough?

Kennet and Avon Medical Partnership (KAMP) have now sent invitations to all patients who are eligible for their free flu vaccination. They have already run three Saturday morning flu clinics, the first of which was in September, and they have their final Saturday clinic scheduled for November 24. 

So far over 2,400 people have had their flu jab, an additional 1,918 have received invites by letter and 200 more by telephone/text for future sessions. Further weekday clinics are being arranged as you read this.

Flu jab clinics are more spread out this year. This is because, unlike previous years, NHS England are recommending different vaccines for specific groups of patients. 

Patients aged 65 and over will receive the Adjuvant vaccine – which will give them better protection.  At risk patients under 65 will receive the Quadrivalent vaccine.  Further information about the new vaccine for the over 65s can be found here.

Amy Lacey of KAMP explained this new situation to marlborough,news:  “Previously, we have offered only one kind of vaccine – the Quadrivalent, which has always been delivered within October.”

“This year, our stock of Adjuvent vaccines has been delivered to us in stages over a longer period of time, which has resulted in a delay in being able to finalise our arrangements and having to hold our clinics later in the year than previously.”

In a change to last year, there is no need to call the surgery to make an appointment. Those eligible for the jabs are instead being asked to attend a clinic during a 30-minute time slot: 

“Please do try to come during your allocated time slot as this will help ensure all patients are seen promptly. However, if this really is not possible, patients may attend at any time during the clinic, but this may have an effect on waiting times for both the patient and others.”

The KAMP Patient Participation Group (PPG) have been supporting the practice this flu season, and are keen to hear (constructive!) ideas about how patients feel the clinics could be improved in future years.  If readers have any feedback or suggestions, they should send these to the PPG via email:  kamp.ppg@gmail.com.