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The Castle Practice

The Health Centre | Taylors Avenue | Carrickfergus | BT38 7HU

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Vaccination Information

Vaccinations

After clean water, vaccination is the most effective public health intervention in the world for saving lives and promoting good health, and therefore one of the most important things that any parent can do is get their child vaccinated and encourage them to continue this throughout their own lifetime.

Increase in Pertussis Cases in Northern Ireland

There has been a sharp increase in laboratory confirmed pertussis cases in Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK during the last two months. Since the end of January 2024 to start of March 2024, there were 71 laboratory-confirmed cases, of which 21 were in week commencing 4th March 24.

Children and Pregnant Women

In Northern Ireland, a primary course (3 doses) of pertussis containing vaccine is offered to all infants at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age, with a booster at 3 years and 4 months. Children up to 10 years of age should still complete their course of pertussis primary and booster vaccination, but after recovery from any acute illness.The maternal pertussis immunisation programme gives high vaccine effectiveness against pertussis in infants until their first vaccinations at eight weeks of old. It is offered to all pregnant women and should be administered at any stage after 16 weeks of pregnancy (and ideally following the detailed ultrasound scan).

Flu, Covid and Pneumonia Vaccinations

Vaccines are the best defense against COVID-19 and Influenza. All At-Risk Group patients between 18 & 64 and those over 65 are invited to receive their Flu and COVID-19 vaccine which will be administered at the 1 appointment. It is safe and effective to receive it in this way. If you are eligible for the COVID-19 &/or Flu vaccines this autumn/winter please book an appointment through on-line patient service or by contacting reception.These are available each Autumn for people with Chronic Illness and for the Elderly, as directed by the Department of Health Guidelines each year. Watch out for, and read, the patient notices in relation to the annual Flu Campaign.

 Initial invites will be sent by SMS text message  so make sure we have an up-to-date mobile number for you.

Vaccinations from September 2024

**NEW**: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccination Programme

RSV is a common respiratory virus that that can cause serious lung infections. While RSV infection can occur at any age, the risk and severity of RSV and its complications are increased in older adults and in neonates and small babies, and it has a considerable impact on individuals and NHS services during the winter months. The peak for RSV infections is November to February

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programmes for older adults and during pregnancy for infant protection.

RSV Vaccination

RSV is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious lung infections. The following cohorts will be invited to book an appointment for a RSV vaccine through text invites and telephone calls:

Routine cohort.

All patients turning 75 years old on or after 1 September 2024 will be eligible for a single dose of the RSV vaccine on or after their 75th birthday. In line with JCVI guidance, patients will remain eligible until the day before their 80th birthday.

Catch-up cohort

Patients already aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 September 2024 will be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine on or after their 75th birthday.

  • Date of birth range 1 September 1945 to 31 August 1949. These Individuals will remain eligible until the day before their 80th birthday.
  • Date of birth range 2 September 1944 to 31 August 1945. These individuals will turn 80 in the first year of the programme and will remain eligible until 31 August 2025

Shingles Vaccination

More people have become eligible for the shingles vaccination from September 24. This will give more older people and those with a weaker immune system protection against shingles which can be an extremely painful condition and complications can be long-lasting.

The following cohorts will be invited to book an appointment for a shingles vaccine through our text invites or by contacting reception.

  • Patients turning 65 (DoB 02.09.1958 – 01.09.1959)
  • Patient turning 70 (DoB 02.09.1953 – 01.09.1954)
  • Patients who are over 50 and severely immunosuppressed
  • Catch up vaccine for those aged 75 – 79
  • Those aged 80 or over are no longer eligible for the shingles vaccine

Pneumococcal Vaccination

Pneumococcal Vaccination is available to anyone in a clinical risk group and to anyone over 65 years.  Vaccination appointments can be booked via our Patient Services Team.

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Patients who Did Not Attend their appointments

DID NOT ATTEND (DNA)

DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH 2026

326 APPOINTMENTS WERE NOT ATTENDED

Patients complain that they cannot get an appointment, yet in 1 month alone a total of 326 appointments were not attended with no reason

What does this mean to YOU?………

12 minutes of wasted medical time per appointment

= 68 hours (9 working days) of wasted appointment time

How many times during these 68 hours were YOU not able to get an appointment?

5 minutes of wasted clerical time per patient contact

= 27 hours (3.5 working days) of wasted clerical time

How many times during these 27 hours were YOU trying to book an appointment?

You can cancel your appointment in the following ways:

by phoning or texting our mobile number – 07813 985 168

by emailing reception at [email protected]

Further detailed information – https://www.castlepractice.co.uk/?p=14066&preview=true 

** COVID SPRING BOOSTERS **
ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO BOOK
FOR PATIENTS AGED 75 AND OVER
AND ALL IMMUNOSUPPRESSED PATIENTS
 
** FINAL CLINIC DATES **
19.05.2026
29.05.2026
 
WE ARE CONTACTING PATIENTS BY
TEXT AND TELEPHONE CALLS
 
**PLEASE CONTACT THE
PRACTICE ANY DAY AFTER 11:00 AM
TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT**
028 9331 5805
07513 985 168
07873 214 100
07873 211 433