If a vaccine is given when a baby still has antibodies to the disease, the antibodies can stop the vaccine working. This is why routine childhood immunisations do not start until a baby is two months old, before the antibodies a baby gets from its mother have stopped working. This is also why it is important for parents to stick to the immunisation schedule, as a delay can leave a baby unprotected. A delay can increase the chance of adverse reactions to some vaccines, such as pertussis (whooping cough).

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Vaccination Schedule

At two months old: 

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) – one injection 
• Pneumococcal infection – pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – one injection 

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At three months old:

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) – one injection 
• Meningitis C (meningococcal group C) (MenC) – one injection 

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At four months old: 

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) – one injection 
• Meningitis C (meningococcal group C) (MenC) – one injection 
• Pneumococcal infection – pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – one injection 

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At around 12 months old: 

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningitis C (Hib/MenC) – booster dose in one injection

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At around 13 months old: 

• Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) – one injection 
• Pneumococcal infection – pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – one injection 

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Three years four months to five years old (pre-school): 

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio (dTaP/IPV or DTaP/IPV) – one injection
• Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) – one injection 
• 13 to 18 years old: 
• Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (Td/IPV) – one injection

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Further Reading

There are some excellent websites that will answer all your questions and queries about immunisation and vaccination. If you are worried about giving the MMR vaccine, you should access the MMR site.

• NHS Choices – Immunisation Information
  The most comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate source of information on vaccines, disease and immunisation in the UK. 

• NHS Choices – MMR Information
  This website has been put together to answer any questions you might have about MMR. You can look for information and resources in the MMR library, ask an expert panel a question, and read up on the latest news stories relating to MMR.

The local Stop Smoking Service provides advice and support, including nicotine replacement and other products on prescription. Telephone 0800 328 6297 to make an appointment.

Dr Kirkham runs a minor op clinic on a Wednesday morning at the surgery by appointment only, it is best you see a GP prior to booking your minor op appointment to make sure it can be carried out at the practice.

• 8am-6pm – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

Practice Nurse and HCA Appointments

Available every day for all aspects of nursing care, smears, blood tests, blood pressures, ECGs, injections, vaccinations, 24 hour bp monitoring, spirometry, new patient checks, pill check, care plans, health checks and all chronic disease monitoring ie, asthma, diabetes, COPD, CKD, heart failure, hypertension.

• 8am – 6.30pm

This clinic is run on a Wednesday morning at the surgery by appointment only, you will receive your appointment via text. If you have any queries regarding this please contact the surgery on 01253 955954 and ask for Deirdre.

Using the Service

If you’re a patient, find out more about appointment booking on the NHS.UK website.

Whether you’re using e-RS for the first time, or an existing user wanting to make the most of the service, NHS Digital provides a range of material for referrers (such as a general practice), providers (a hospital or clinic) and commissioners.

Does Age Affect The Risk Of Flu?

Yes. If you are aged 65 years or over or you are at higher risk.

Who Is At Risk?

• If you are aged 65 years or over or if you are on regular inhaled steroids
• If you have a chronic respiratory disease (including asthma)
• If you have chronic heart disease
• If you have chronic renal disease
• If you are diabetic
• If you have a weak immune system
• If you live in a long-stay residential or nursing home
• If you have a chronic liver disease
• If you are a carer

Do I Need To Be Protected Against Pneumococcal Infection?

Everybody aged 65 and over should now be immunised to help protect them against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis. Please phone the surgery during September to make an appointment if the above applies to you.

Women aged between 24 and 64 should have a cervical screening every 3 to 5 years to help prevent cervical cancer. The screening is quick and painless and can be done here in the practice.

If you are aged over 24 and have never had a smear test, or if it has been more than 3 to 5 years since your last screening, you should arrange an appointment with our Practice Nurse. You should not have the test while you are having a period or in the 4 days before or after your period as this can affect the sample.

What is Cervical Screening?

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. It is a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities which, if left untreated, could lead to cancer in a woman’s cervix (the neck of the womb).

A sample of cells is taken from the cervix for analysis. A doctor or nurse inserts an instrument (a speculum) to open the woman’s vagina and uses a spatula to sweep around the cervix. Most women consider the procedure to be only mildly uncomfortable.

Early detection and treatment can prevent 75 per cent of cancers developing but like other screening tests, it is not perfect. It may not always detect early cell changes that could lead to cancer.

Who is Eligible for Cervical Screening?

All women between the ages of 25 and 64 are eligible for a free cervical screening test every three to five yearsThe NHS call and recall system invites women who are registered with a GP. It also keeps track of any follow-up investigation, and, if all is well, recalls the woman for screening in three or five years time. It is therefore important that all women ensure their GP has their correct name and address details and inform them if these change.

Women who have not had a recent test may be offered one when they attend their GP or family planning clinic on another matter. Women should receive their first invitation for routine screening at 25.

Why are Women Under 25 not Invited?

This is because changes in the young cervix are normal. If they were thought to be abnormal this could lead to unnecessary treatment which could have consequences for women’s childbearing. Any abnormal changes can be easily picked up and treated from the age of 25. Rarely, younger women experience symptoms such as unexpected bleeding or bleeding after intercourse. In this case they should see their GP for advice.

Why are Women Over 65 not Invited?

Women aged 65 and over who have had three consecutive negative results are taken out of the call recall system. The natural history and progression of cervical cancer means it is highly unlikely that such women will go on to develop the disease. Women aged 65 and over who have never had a test are entitled to one.

What About Women who are not Sexually Active?

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme invites all women between the ages of 25 and 64 for cervical screening. But if a woman has never been sexually active with a man, then the research evidence shows that her chance of developing cervical cancer is very low indeed. We do not say no risk, only very low risk. In these circumstances, a woman might choose to decline the invitation for cervical screening on this occasion. If a woman is not currently sexually active but has had male partners in the past, then we would recommend that she continues screening.

Travelling abroad this summer? Did you know you need to be vaccinated 10 weeks prior to your holiday? Unfortunately we no longer offer travel vaccinations, in order to free up more appointments at the surgery for chronic disease management. 

Your nearest Travel Clinics are:

PharmaVaccs Travel Clinic – Lytham St Annes 24-26 St Anne’s Rd E, Lytham Saint Annes FY8 1UR Tel: 0333 567 1216 www.pharmavaccs.co.uk	Preston Travel Clinic Broadway Pharmacy with Cure Clinics, 331 Garstang Rd, Fulwood, Preston PR2 9UP Tel: 01772 717574
Preston Travel & Vaccination Clinic DDL Davies Pharmacy, 59 Plungington Rd, Preston PR1 7EN Tel: 01772 556030 www.prestontravelvac.co.uk

If you are unsure whether you require any travel vaccines you can now search on the website below. Just enter the destination that you are travelling to and it will find any information you may need.