The Devizes PCN

The COVID-19 spring vaccination programme is ending soon. If you have not yet booked to receive your Spring booster, please do so by contacting your registered GP Practice, or by booking online at: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/

The vaccine is offered to those in the population most vulnerable to serious outcomes from COVID-19 and who are therefore most likely to benefit from vaccination. These include adults aged 75 and over, and individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed.

In addition, the RSV vaccine is available to adults aged 75 and over. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lung infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. A single dose of the vaccine will help to boost protection as you reach an age group at highest risk of serious RSV infection.

Both vaccines may be given at the same time, (or separately if you prefer) and both are being offered at clinics at the Devizes Health Centre.

Patients are encouraged to book now to avoid disappointment.

Book, change, or cancel a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online Book, change or cancel a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online.

Please note that all Spring COVID-19 vaccination appointments booked through your Surgery are being held at the Devizes Health Centre and not at your registered Practice.

Vaccinations for the COVID-19 spring vaccination programme started last week. The vaccine is offered to those in the population most vulnerable to serious outcomes from COVID-19 and who are therefore most likely to benefit from vaccination. These include adults aged 75 and over, and individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed.

In addition, the RSV vaccine is available to adults aged 75 and over. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lung infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. A single dose of the vaccine will help to boost protection as you reach an age group at highest risk of serious RSV infection.

Both vaccines may be given at the same time, and both vaccines are being offered at clinics at the Devizes Health Centre. Registered patients may book online at https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/ or by calling their registered GP Practice.

Book, change, or cancel a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online Book, change or cancel a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online.

RSV Programme Expansion

Millions of older people can now get protection against a virus which causes serious lung infections like bronchitis and pneumonia – preventing potentially thousands of hospital admissions a year.

All adults aged 80 and over are now eligible for the NHS respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, following the expansion of the vaccination programme. Previously, the vaccine was only offered to adults aged 75 to 79 years when the programme began in September 2024. Women are also offered the vaccine from 28 weeks of pregnancy to protect their babies from serious lung infections. These groups remain eligible for the vaccine if they have not had it.

RSV is a common virus that infects the lungs. While symptoms are mild for many people, the virus can be severe in older adults, causing pneumonia, bronchitis and flare-ups of existing lung disease and other long-term conditions. This can make it difficult to breathe and leave some older people requiring hospital treatment.

RSV causes around 9,000 hospitalisations in those aged over 75 in the UK each year, but a single dose of the vaccine provides protection for several years.

New evidence from the UK public health agencies shows the vaccine cuts your risk of being hospitalised by around 75% – so it’s great news that the vaccine is now available to everyone aged 75 and over. We also know that the RSV vaccine for pregnant women is providing excellent protection to newborn babies. If you’re eligible, be sure to take up the offer and get the best protection possible against a nasty case of RSV pneumonia.

Eligible patients who have booked their Spring COVID booster at the Devizes Health Centre will be offered the RSV vaccine at the same appointment. Otherwise, patients are asked to contact their registered GP Practice to book.

The Spring 2026 COVID Booster Programme will commence soon.

The aim of the COVID-19 immunisation programme is to prevent serious disease (hospitalisation and/or mortality) arising from COVID-19.

COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant. Age has always been strongly associated with the risk of hospitalisation and mortality from COVID-19, with the oldest in the population being the most vulnerable.

Eligibility is restricted to individuals aged 75 and over, and those who are immunosuppressed. These are the 2 groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:

We have accepted advice from JCVI regarding eligibility for the spring 2026 COVID-19 vaccination programme. Eligibility remains the same as last year.

This is based on independent expert advice from JCVI to protect those who remain at higher risk.

Vaccines have been one of the greatest public health achievements in history, and COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide important protection for those who need it most.

Spring COVID Vaccination appointments are available at the Devizes Health Centre from 14th April until the end of June. Please telephone your registered GP Practice to book.

The NHS in the South West is urging people to come forward for their COVID-19 and flu vaccines before the winter offer comes to an end.

Festive celebrations may have led to an increase in flu and COVID-19 infections as figures published this week show that the number of patients in hospital beds with flu in the South West has risen by 36% and those with COVID-19 has risen by almost 7% on the previous week.

Dr Trevor Smith, Regional Medical Director for NHS England South West said: “It’s clear from the data that flu is still prevalent in the South West, with hospitals experiencing a rise in patients being admitted with flu and other respiratory viruses such as COVID-19.

“It’s important that we don’t get complacent as we head into the new year. Vaccines remain our best defence against flu and COVID-19, so we are urging everyone who is eligible to come forward before the seasonal offer comes to an end".

The COVID-19 autumn/winter vaccination offer will end on 31 January 2026, and are bookable online or by calling 119.

Flu vaccines will be available until 31 March 2026 and there are still appointments available for people to get protected - please contact your GP surgery to book.

Flu vaccinations are being offered to children and pregnant women, everyone aged 65 and over, under 65s in clinical risk groups, care home residents and carers, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed and frontline health and social care staff.

RSV vaccinations are also available on the NHS to women who are 28 weeks pregnant or more, those aged 75 to 79, or and those who turned 80 years old after 1 September 2024. To find out more about RSV vaccinations, pregnant women should speak with their maternity teams, and those who are aged 75 to 79 or turned 80 years old after 1 September 2024 should speak with their GP surgery.

Elizabeth Smout, Lead Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA South West, said: “Cases of flu and RSV among older age groups are staying stubbornly stable for now, with no signs of a drop in the number of older adults needing emergency care for respiratory illnesses. We know flu is unpredictable, and the end of flu season could be some months away.

People aged 65 and over, and others at higher risk, can still get a flu vaccine, which reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation. Anyone who hasn’t yet had their vaccine should take it up for the remaining winter to protect themselves – flu often circulates well into March. RSV vaccination remains open year-round for pregnant women and any older adults aged 75 to 80 who haven’t yet had a dose.

People are returning to work and school after Christmas, and this gives respiratory viruses like flu more chances to spread. If you have symptoms, including a high temperature, cough and feeling tired or achy, you should try to minimise contact with others, especially those more vulnerable. Stay home where possible if you’re feeling unwell, and if you need to go out, consider wearing a face covering, particularly if visiting vulnerable people.”

To help prevent the spread of winter illnesses, please:

- Don’t visit loved ones in hospital if you have symptoms of a cough, cold, respiratory illness, diarrhoea or vomiting.
- Wear a mask when going to healthcare premises, including hospitals, if they ask you to do so.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, as this is the best way to stop it spreading. Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus.
- Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you come down with a winter bug and do not feel well enough to do your normal activities.
- Get your flu vaccine from your GP practice, local pharmacy or vaccination centre.

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📣📣FLU VACCINATIONS 💉 FLU VACCINATIONS 💉 📣📣

Lansdowne Surgery, Market Lavington Surgery, Southbroom Surgery and St James Surgery still have a limited number of Flu vaccines available.

If you are aged 65 or over, or are clinically at risk, please speak to our reception teams about booking an appointment.

Statement from the UKHSA:

“With flu and RSV cases sharply increasing in the past week and Christmas just three weeks away, now is your last chance if eligible to help get protected before Christmas. We expect to see these viruses circulating more widely in the lead up to Christmas and more people getting sick – threatening a potential peak over the festive period and into the New Year.

“Nobody wants anyone in their family, especially young children, to spend Christmas in hospital. The best defence against this is a vaccine, but time is running out as it can take up to two weeks from vaccination for your body to build maximum protection. So don’t delay any longer, if anyone in your family is eligible, book that appointment today.

“You can also help flu-proof your festivities by taking simple steps to protect yourself, family and friends. If you have flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature, cough or feeling tired and achy – try to limit contact with others, especially those at higher risk. Wash your hands regularly, keep indoor spaces well-ventilated and if you need to go out while unwell, consider wearing a face mask.”