When can I have my vaccination?

Guided by the Red Book I, like many parents, navigated the multitude of vaccinations administered in infancy and pre-school years without too much difficulty. Some argue that credit for this should be attributed to my wife, but that is not central here, so I will swiftly move on to state that immunisation programmes are never static. As new infectious diseases emerge, vaccination programmes need to evolve with them; the COVID-19 pandemic is a case in point. Unfortunately, communicable diseases are rarely eradicated altogether (smallpox remains the exception), and so, vaccination schedules expand.

One area of expansion has been in the offer for adults. A one-off pneumococcal vaccine to celebrate reaching 65 (warding off a common cause of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis in the process) has long been complemented by the annual offer of a flu jab from the same age. But aside from COVID-19, three other routine vaccination offers have emerged in recent years. So, in response to asking our reception team “what’s the query of the month?” here is my attempt at a concise summary…

Shingrix vaccine

• Protects against the virus causing both chicken pox and shingles. 
• Offered in the year you turn 65; two doses given 6-12 months apart.
• GP practices send out invites. If missed, you must wait until you are 70, but anyone aged 70-79 who has not yet received it can contact to request.

Pertussis vaccine

• Protects against the bacteria that causes whooping cough.
• Offered to pregnant women from 16-weeks (aims to protect the newborn baby).
• Both antenatal clinics and GP practices can administer.

RSV vaccine (new for 2024)

• Protects against respiratory syncytial virus, a common cause of coughs/colds but also bronchiolitis in babies and pneumonia in older adults. 
• Offered to pregnant women at 28-weeks and adults aged 75-79. 
• GP practices send out invites (concomitant Influenza or COVID-19 vaccination usually avoided).

Published: Nov 5, 2024