Preventitive Health Information and Vaccination

All children should be immunised. Parents will in the vast majority of cases need to have their babies immunised against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, meningitis and polio. These vaccinations will be offered by one of our Practice Nurses at eight weeks, three months and four months. MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) will be offered at 12 - 18 months. A pre-school booster is advised at about 4 years of age. The risk of these vaccinations are miniscule compared to the risks associated with the diseases.

There is a vaccine available for girls to prevent cancer. This new service is linked to school years but is generally given to teenage girls. We write to eligible girls to invite them for this course of three vaccinations as advised by the PCT.

All girls who have not had the MMR injection should receive a Rubella vaccination at the age of 10 years.

All women between the ages of 20 - 65 will be offered a cervical smear test in line with current regulations.

Flu Vaccines will be given free annually to all patient over the age of 65 years and also those who meets the criteria which is; heart disease, stoke, diabetes, COPD and asthmatics that are on current regular medication.

All new patients over the 5 years of age will be asked to see a clinician for a new registration medical. Please make sure you attend this appointment as it is a chance to review your health, while also providing the clinicians here some background information should you fall ill before your full medical records arrive.

Further general advice is available from NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or the NHS Direct web site: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or www.patient.co.uk.