Respiratory syncytial virus – RSV
*New Vaccine starting in September*
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes hundreds of thousands of infections across the UK each winter in the young and the old. It is a common cause of respiratory tract infections which usually causes a mild self-limiting respiratory infection but can be severe in infants and older adults who are at increased risk of acute lower respiratory tract infection. Babies and children under 1years are at increased risk of complications from RSV which can cause Bronchiolitis and hospital admission.
Vaccines have now been developed which have been rigorously tested for safety and efficacy and will be introduced from 1st September 2024 into the UK schedule:
- through the routine offer of a single dose at age 75 years and the catch-up programme (of 75 to 79 year olds) which will help protect eligible older adults, particularly if given before winter RSV activity
- Vaccination for all pregnant women at 28weeks of pregnancy will ensure protection for new born babies
We will be inviting eligible patients for vaccination in September ahead of the flu programme as It is not recommended to have the RSV vaccine at the same time as a flu or covid vaccine, however it can be given at the same time as a shingles or Pneumonia vaccine.
Annual Influenza Programme
Influenza
This year the Department of Health have made some changes to the adult annual flu programme to start later from October. This is because vaccination effectiveness in adults wanes over time and so vaccinating in Oct/Nov will provide optimal protection during the highest-risk period, typically December or January
Flu vaccine is for:
- Everyone 65 years and over (and anyone who will become 65 years old by 31st March 2025)
- Anyone 6 months - <65 years who is in a clinical risk group (see details below)
- All pregnant women (available from 1st September)
- Children 2 years up to year 11 in school (available from mid/end Sept)
NB The practice ONLY administer Flu vaccines to:
- children in clinical risk groups (see details below)
- 2 or 3 years on 31st August 2024 (Pre-school age)
We will be contacting everyone who is eligible in stages but if you have not heard from us by mid October, please to call to book your appointment
Clinical risk groups
- chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as asthma (that requires continuous or repeated use of inhaled or systemic steroids or with previous exacerbations requiring hospital admission), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or chronic bronchitis
- chronic heart disease and vascular disease
- chronic kidney disease at stage 3, 4 or 5
- chronic liver disease
- chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease
- learning disability
- diabetes and adrenal insufficiency
- asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen
- a weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as for cancer) *see below *
- morbidly obese adults (aged from 16 years) with a BMI of 40kg/m2 and above
- household contacts of immunocompromised individuals, specifically individuals who expect to share living accommodation on most days over the winter and, therefore, for whom continuing close contact is unavoidable
- people living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities where rapid spread is likely to follow introduction of infection and cause high morbidity and mortality. This does not include, for instance, prisons, young offender institutions, university halls of residence or boarding schools
- carers: those who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or who are the main Carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the Carer falls ill
*You may be immunosuppressed; ⎯ If you are having - Chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy ⎯ If you are taking medication - Immunosuppressive or immunomodulating biological therapy, protein kinase or PARP inhibitors and steroid sparing agents – i.e. cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil or have been taking Steroids for more than a month. ⎯ If you have had - An organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant. ⎯ If you have been told you have - HIV, multiple myeloma, leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, lupus, or a genetic disorder which affects the immune system.
*Please speak to your GP, Practice Nurse or Consultant if you are unsure if you need a flu vaccine
MEASLES
As you may have seen from the news and social media there are a rising number of measles cases in the UK, including Birmingham and the Solihull area.
Measles is very contagious and can cause serious illness and complications. Vulnerable groups include unvaccinated individuals, pregnant women, immunocompromised patients and the chronically ill. These groups are more at risk of developing severe complications.
Measles is a preventable illness and all children should receive 2 doses of the MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) at age one year and at around three and a half years old. Adults can also receive the MMR vaccine if they have not had the illness as a child (this will ensure natural immunity) or have not had 2 measles containing vaccines if they are concerned about their risks.
If your child has had 2 doses of MMR then it is very unlikely that they will catch measles.
Please see the NHS Website: Measles - NHS (www.nhs.uk) for further information.
If you think your child may have measles or has been in close contact with someone who has suspected or confirmed measles do not attend the surgery.
Please telephone for advice. You may need to isolate for up to 14 days if you or your child is unvaccinated.
Please book an appointment with one of our nurses if your child is unvaccinated or has not had 2 doses and you would now like them to have the MMR.
If you are unsure if you or your child has had 2 doses of measles containing vaccines, please check children’s red vaccination book or email your queries to the surgery Balsallcommon.practice@nhs.net
Please do not telephone the surgery for vaccination queries as this can block the telephone lines.
New Service Operating
Are you experiencing muscle or joint pain?
You can now see a Specialist Physiotherapist at the Balsall Common Surgery.
The Physio will support you in being referred for further treatment, helping with pain relief, managing/improving your condition and discuss any worries or concerns.
Appointments with our Physiotherapy Team can now be booked online or with our Reception Team
As your GP practice, we have been asked by NHS England to provide you with access to your full primary care medical record going forward from 31st October 2023. This will be via the NHS app and the NHS website if you have a suitable NHS login.
Please note this access is only to your prospective primary care record. This does not include hospital records or results of investigations requested anywhere else as these are not available on the primary care record.
There is likely to be sensitive and personal information within your medical record.
We are supportive of providing you with access to your record, but we wish to do this safely, and make you aware that this is happening so that you can opt out if you so wish.
It is important that you understand the risks that may be involved in having such confidential data, either on your smartphone with the NHS app installed, or online if other people might have access to that information through your devices.
The government has been clear that if a patient does not wish to have access, then we do not have to provide it.