Vaccinations

Vaccines protect you and the people around you from serious illness. Most are free on the NHS. This page says who can have each vaccine and how to book.

We checked the age rules on the NHS website on 9 September 2026. The NHS can change them, so follow the NHS links if you are not sure.

How to book

When you are due a vaccine, we will usually contact you. You do not always need to wait. If you think you are eligible, call us on 01708 552 072 or send a request online (opens in a new tab).

Our practice nurse or healthcare assistant gives most vaccines at the surgery.

Find out how to ask for an appointment

Flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is free each autumn for people at higher risk from flu. This includes anyone aged 65 or over, pregnant women, and people aged 18 to 64 with a long-term condition. It also includes carers, care home residents, and frontline health and social care workers.

Children aged 2 and 3 have a nasal spray at the surgery. School-aged children have it at school. Most people can have the flu vaccine from 1 October 2026, and pregnant women from 1 September.

We invite you by text message and by phone. Our flu clinics start on 5 October 2026. If you are aged 18 or over, you can also have it at a pharmacy.

• Find out who can have the flu vaccine (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)
• Find out about the children's flu vaccine (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

COVID-19 vaccine

The NHS offers a COVID-19 vaccine in spring and early winter to people at higher risk. This autumn it is for people aged 75 or over, and people who live in a care home. It is also for anyone aged 6 months to 74 with a weakened immune system.

If you are aged 75 or over, we give the COVID-19 vaccine at the surgery, at the same time as your flu vaccine.

Everyone else who is eligible can book on the NHS website, in the NHS App, or by calling 119, or have it at a pharmacy.

• Find out who can have the COVID-19 vaccine (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)
• Book a COVID-19 vaccination (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Pneumococcal vaccine

This protects against infections such as pneumonia and meningitis. Babies have it at 16 weeks and at 1 year. Adults have 1 dose at 65 or over, and some people with long-term conditions need it earlier.

We will contact you when you are due. If you think you are eligible and have not heard from us, ask us.

Find out about the pneumococcal vaccine (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Shingles vaccine

You can have the shingles vaccine if you are aged 70 to 79. You can also have it at 65, if you turned 65 on or after 1 September 2023. From age 18, you can have it if you have a severely weakened immune system.

You need 2 doses, usually 6 to 12 months apart. We will usually contact you when you become eligible.

Find out about the shingles vaccine (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

RSV vaccine

RSV is a virus that can cause serious chest infections in babies and older adults. The vaccine is free if you are aged 75 or over, or live in a care home for older adults. It is also free from 65 to 74 if you have a weakened immune system or a long-term lung condition.

If you are pregnant, have it from 28 weeks to protect your baby after birth. Your maternity team or we can give it. We will contact older adults who are eligible.

Find out about the RSV vaccine (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Childhood vaccines

Babies have vaccines at 8, 12 and 16 weeks, and at 1 year. More follow at 18 months and at 3 years and 4 months. Older children have some vaccines at school.

We will invite you when your child is due. If your child missed a vaccine, it is not too late. Ask us to catch up.

See the NHS vaccination schedule and when to have each vaccine (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy

Whooping cough can be very serious for young babies. Having the vaccine when you are pregnant protects your baby in their first weeks. You usually have it at around 20 weeks, and you can have it from 16 weeks.

Ask us or your midwife to book it.

Find out about the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

MMR vaccine and measles

Measles spreads easily and can be serious. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

Children born on or after 1 January 2020 now have the MMRV vaccine instead. It also covers chickenpox, and is given at 12 months and 18 months.

If you or your child missed the MMR vaccine, you can still have it free. This includes adults. Ask us to book it, especially before you travel.

If you think you or your child has measles, phone us or call 111 before you come in. Measles can spread to other people in the waiting room.

• Find out about the MMR vaccine (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)
• Find out about measles (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Travel vaccinations

Our practice nurse runs the travel vaccination service. Book at least 6 weeks before you travel. You will need 2 appointments. Tell us where you are going and when.

Some travel vaccines are free on the NHS: hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera and the polio booster. Others are not NHS-funded, for example hepatitis B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever.

Fees vary. Ask at reception and we will tell you the cost before any work starts. You pay at reception before the vaccination.

• Find out which vaccines you need for your destination (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)
• Find out about travel vaccinations (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Other vaccines

If you need a tetanus injection after an injury, or another vaccine, ask us.

Find out about tetanus (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

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