Swine Flu Vaccinations

Swine Flu Vaccinations

Private General Practice Services provides swine flu vaccinations for those of its patients who prefer to have the vaccination at the practice rather than at their NHS practice. The practice follows National NHS Guidelines and protocols on the giving of the swine flu vaccine and does not charge for the vaccination itself but does charge its usual consultation and administration fee of £30.

Information on Swine flu and the swine flu vaccination

What is swine flu?

It is a respiratory disease caused by a new strain of influenza virus. The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to those caused by seasonal flu. Swine flu is generally a mild infection that comes on quickly and lasts for about a week. It causes fever, tiredness, cough and sore throat. Other symptoms include headache, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose, loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhoea.

However, for those with underlying health conditions or who are pregnant or who are having medical treatment such as chemotherapy, swine flu can be very serious.

Who is currently being offered the swine flu vaccination?

The groups of people who are most vulnerable to serious illness as a result of swine flu are being offered the vaccine first. Based on the current evidence (from the UK and elsewhere), the highest rates for severe disease are in:

• Children aged between 6 months and 5 years;
• People with underlying health conditions; and
• Pregnant women.

As with seasonal flu, people who have underlying health conditions (in particular people with respiratory disease) are at an increased risk from the complications of swine flu infection and are more likely to be hospitalised. People with underlying health conditions include: chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, chronic neurological disease, diabetes mellitus, and immunosuppression caused by a disease (for example, this may include people who do not have a spleen, and people who are on an immunosuppressant treatment or are taking high doses of systemic steroids).

If you suffer from a condition that affects your immune system, the other people that live with you may also be able to obtain the swine flu vaccination to help to protect you or your child.

Will my regular seasonal flu jab protect me against swine flu?

No, because seasonal flu and swine flu are caused by different flu viruses.

Will there be any side effects?

All vaccinations can produce side effects such as soreness and swelling at the site of the injection. This vaccine is not live so cannot cause flu. Some vaccines, including vaccines similar to the swine flu vaccine, can cause flu-like symptoms but they are very much milder than having the flu itself and only last for a day or so.

Can the swine flu vaccine be given to people with an egg allergy?

The GSK vaccine Pandemrix is prepared in hens’ eggs (the same as seasonal flu vaccines) and so should not be given to individuals who have had a confirmed anaphylactic reaction (shock or acute difficulty in breathing) to egg products; they should receive Celvapan. Please note the practice is only currently able to offer the Pandemrix vaccine.

Further Questions

If you have any further questions relating to having this vaccination you should ring the Practice on 0116 2700373.

If you have a query or would like to email us please go to our contact us page.

If you would like to book an appointment please call us on 0116 2700373 or email info@privategp.com.

• Immunisations & Blood Tests
  • Adult Immunisations
  • Blood Tests and Immunity Tests
  • Children's Immunisations
  • Flu Vaccinations
  • HPV Vaccinations
  • Immunotherapy For Hayfever Sufferers
  • Single MMR Injections
  • Swine Flu and Avian Flu Treatment
  • Swine Flu Vaccinations
  • Travel Immunisations

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