The introduction of the Shingles vaccine at Tideswell Surgery is for people aged between 70 and 79 years. Shingles is a debilitating condition which occurs more frequently and tends to be more severe in older people.
It is estimated that around 250,000 people are affected in England and Wales each year, including 30,000 people in their 70s. Around one in 1,000 people over 70 who get shingles dies of the infection.
We are offering routine vaccinations to people aged 70 – 79 years old, and we also plan to introduce a catch-up immunisation programme in 2013. The vaccine declines with age and so it is not recommended for people aged 80 years or older.
We have set up a clinic on the 18th September, 2013 and will be sending out letters asking patients to make an appointment. Please respond to our letter as soon as possible.
We are also holding flu clinics at the surgery from Monday 7th to Thursday 10th October, 2013. Please call the surgery and make an appointment on 01298 871292. This year the Department of Health are particularly concerned with patients that have refused the vaccine in the past or patients who have had one previously, and not bothered again.
Letters are also being sent out as part of the flu campaign, please respond as soon as possible.
Â