Childhood Vaccinations
We know your child’s health is your top priority and so protecting them from serious disease is incredibly important. One of the best ways to protect your child against diseases like measles, rubella, tetanus and meningitis is through immunisations. As well as protecting your own child, you’re also protecting others by preventing the spread of disease.
Since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either gone or are now very rarely seen.
Other diseases like measles and diphtheria have reduced to a very low number of cases each year since vaccines were introduced. These cases are often related to travel.
However, if people stop having vaccines, it’s possible for infectious diseases to quickly spread again. If you have any questions regarding immunisations, please do not hesitate to contact the Surgery.
Find out about childhood vaccinations.
Routine childhood immunisation schedule.
Kernow Health school-age immunisation team is responsible for the planning and delivery of the school-age immunisation programmes in Cornwall.
Find out about school-age immunisations.
Flu
Flu vaccination is safe and effective. It’s offered every year through the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
The NHS website provides information about who can get it, how to book and where to get the vaccine.
Find out about flu vaccination for adults
Find out about flu vaccination for children
COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against COVID-19.
The NHS website provides information about the vaccination, who can get it, and safety and side effects.
Find out about COVID-19 vaccination
Travel vaccination advice
If you are planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.
Vaccinations are available to protect you against infections such as yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A.
In the UK, the NHS routine immunisation (vaccination) schedule protects you against a number of diseases, but does not cover all of the infectious diseases found overseas. You can also get travel vaccines from:
- private travel vaccination clinics
- pharmacies offering travel healthcare services
When should I start thinking about the vaccines I need?
You will need to contact us at least 8 weeks before you are due to travel. Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity. And some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.
Which travel vaccines are free?
The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS from your GP surgery:
- Tetanus (given as a combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab)
- typhoid
- hepatitis A
- cholera
These vaccines are free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.
Our Travel Risk Assessment Form can be requested via an online Admin Triage. A link will them be sent to you allowing you to complete the form via your mobile phone. Alternatively, a paper copy of the form can be collected from either Reception.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds. RSV infections usually get better by themselves, but can sometimes be serious for babies and older adults. The vaccine helps reduce the risk of RSV causing serious problems such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
The RSV vaccination is currently recommended if:
- you’re pregnant (from 28 weeks of pregnancy) – this will help protect your baby for the first few months after they’re born. Please speak to your midwife about receiving the RSV vaccine.
- you’re aged 75 to 79
Find out about the RSV vaccination
Adult immunisations
We offer vaccinations for flu, Covid, RSV, shingles and pneumonia (following Department of Health guidelines).
Find out about Adult vaccinations
Shingles
Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash. Most people recover from shingles without any problems. But it can sometimes cause complications. It can take up to 4 weeks for the shingles rash to heal. Your skin can be painful for weeks after the rash has gone, but it usually gets better over time.
A shingles vaccine is available on the NHS. The vaccine helps reduce your risk of getting shingles. If you get shingles after being vaccinated, the symptoms can be much milder. You can get shingles more than once, so it’s important to get vaccinated even if you’ve had shingles before. Find out more, including eligibility information, using the link below.