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The NHS in Gloucestershire will be offering COVID vaccines to those most at risk of serious illness with COVID-19 this autumn/winter.

Local services will begin inviting people to book in for their vaccination from 3 October 2024. You will receive an invite when its your turn, there is no need to contact your GP practice at this time.

If eligible, you may be able to get your flu vaccine at the same time as the COVID one, its safe to do so.

People eligible for an autumn COVID vaccine:

How to access a COVID vaccine

  • Via your GP surgery – you will receive an invite inviting you to book, there is no need to contact your GP surgery at this time. Please note, these appointments are not available on the national booking system (NBS).
  • Via the national booking system (NBS) – People may choose to book an appointment at a participating pharmacy through the NHS App or on the NHS website. Alternatively, people who aren’t able to book online can call 119 where translators will also be available to support people if needed.
  • At a community drop-in clinic.
  • Pregnant women may be able to get their vaccinations via local maternity services. Speak to your midwife who will be able to advise.

Additional COVID-19 vaccinations for people with a severely weakened immune system

If you develop a new health condition or start treatment that severely weakens your immune system, you may need additional protection outside of the seasonal vaccination programme.

If you are eligible your GP and/or Specialist doctor will discuss this with you and refer you for vaccination if you choose to take up the offer. If you believe you’re eligible but have not been referred please discuss with your GP or specialist.

Resources

COVID vaccines on the NHS website.

The annual flu vaccination programme will get underway from 3 October 2024.

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

  • Those aged 65 years and over
  • Those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the influenza chapter of the Green Book*)
  • Pregnant women
  • Those in long-stay residential care homes
  • Carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
  • Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals**
  • Two and three-year olds (flu nasal spray, delivered by GP surgeries)
  • Primary school and secondary school pupils up to year 11 (flu nasal spray, delivered via the school vaccination programme)
  • Frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and individuals employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.

How to access a flu vaccine

  • Via your GP surgery – you will receive an invite inviting you to book, there is no need to contact your GP surgery at this time.
  • Via a pharmacy that offers the NHS flu vaccination.
  • If you’re pregnant, you may be able to get the vaccine from a midwife.
  • Primary school and secondary school pupils up to year 11 will be offered a flu nasal spray via the school vaccination programme.

Resources

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious lung conditions.

From 1 September 2024, the NHS in Gloucestershire will be rolling out a new vaccination programme to protect those most vulnerable from RSV.

  • Adults will be invited for the vaccine by their GP practice when they turn 75.
  • GP practices will be running a ‘catch up’ programme for adults already aged 75-79. Those eligible will receive an invite to book, there is no need to call your GP practice at this time.
  • Women will also be eligible for the vaccine when pregnant (between 28 and 36 weeks). This will be offered by a midwife, though you may also be able to get it from your GP practice.

Resources

There are several vaccinations that pregnant women should consider having to protect themselves and their baby.

What When Where

Pertussis (Whooping cough)

 

Adacel vaccine (Pertussis, Diptheria and Tetanus)

 From 16 weeks of pregnancy, and ideally before 32 weeks.  Vaccine offered year-round

GP practice

Antenatal clinics
RSV From 28 weeks of pregnancy, as close to this date as possible. Vaccine offered year-round

Antenatal clinic

 

 
Flu Any time during pregnancy -vaccine offered September to March

GP practice

Antenatal clinics

Community pharmacy

 

 
Covid Any time during pregnancy – vaccine offered September to December

GP practice

Community pharmacy

(Use the NHS Covid booking system to find community pharmacy availability*)

*Covid booking

Use the National Booking System to find an appointment at a local pharmacy before 19 December 2024: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-19-services/covid-19-vaccination-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/

After 19 December you can still find a community pharmacy offering COVID vaccines via drop-in here. The offer ends 31 January 2025.

Getting your vaccines at antenatal clinics

Vaccines are available at the antenatal clinics at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital or Cheltenham General Hospital. Women can get vaccines whilst at the antenatal clinic for a scan or appointment, or call to ask when best to drop in.

Call the antenatal clinics on:

  • Cheltenham – 0300 422 2346 or 0300 422 2347
  • Gloucester – 0300 422 6103 or 0300 422 5120 / 5127

More information

Pregnancy: how to help protect you and your baby – GOV.UK

Vaccinations in pregnancy – NHS