What is pneumonia?

Pneumona is an infection in one or both lungs, it causes inflammation which can make it difficult to breathe. It can affect people of any age, but it’s more common, and can be more serious, in certain groups of people, such as the very young or the elderly, those with long term conditions such as diabetes and those with a weakened immune system.

What causes pneumonia?

There are many causes of pneumonia, the most common are viruses and bacteria, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) or Streptococcus bacteria.

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

Pneumonia symptoms can develop suddenly over 24 to 48 hours, or they can come on more slowly over several days. According to the NHS common symptoms are:

• A cough: which may be dry, or produce think yellow, green, brown, or blood-stained mucus (phlegm)
• Difficulty breathing: your breathing may be rapid and shallow, and you may feel breathless, even when resting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Feeling generally unwell
• Sweating and shivering
• Loss of appetite
• Chest pain: which gets worse when breathing or coughing

Less common symptoms include:

• Coughing up blood
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Feeling sick or being sick
• Wheezing
• Joint or muscle pain
• Feeling confused and disorientated, particularly in elderly people

If you have a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell, use the 111 online coronavirus service. If you have other symptoms of pneumonia, contact your GP or use the regular 111 online service.

Who should have the pneumococcal vaccine?

A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. However, some people need the pneumococcal vaccination because they are at higher risk of complications. These include:

• all children under the age of two
• adults aged 65 or over
• children and adults with certain long-term health conditions, such as a heart, kidney, diabetes or respiratory condition.

How often is the pneumococcal vaccine given?

Babies receive the pneumococcal vaccine as two separate injections, at 2 months and 12-13 months.

People over-65 only need a single pneumococcal vaccination which will protect for life. It is not given annually like the flu jab.

People with a long-term health condition may need just a single one-off pneumococcal vaccination or five-yearly vaccination depending on their underlying health problem.

How long before the pneumonia vaccine takes effect?

It can take between 2 to 3 weeks to become fully effective and be immunised from pneumonia.

When should I get the pneumococcal vaccine?

Unlike the flu vaccine, which must be given seasonally, the pneumonia vaccine can be given at any point in the year, as you can develop pneumonia all year round. However, flu season and the winter months is a particularly important time to get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia. 

Can I get the flu vaccine and pneumonia vaccine at the same time?

Yes, you can book an appointment by speaking to a member of our reception team who can book your flu and pneumonia vaccine by calling 01724 842244.

Do I need to book an appointment?

If eligible, we recommend that you ring our reception team to book the appropriate appointment on 01724 842244

What are the pneumonia vaccine side effects?

Like all vaccines, pneumonia vaccines can cause some side effects. Most are mild and get better in a few days. Some patients don’t have any side effects of the vaccine.

The most common side effects are:

• Pain, swelling, hardness or redness where the injection has been given
• Decreased of appetite
• Increase in temperature
• Muscle and joint pains

Very rarely the vaccines may cause a severe allergic reaction. This would normally happen within minutes of receiving the vaccine.

Can I get the vaccine if I’m feeling unwell?

No, if you’re feeling unwell with a high temperature, we advise that you don’t get the vaccine. If you’ve already booked an appointment and feel unwell, please call the surgery on 01724 842244 to cancel or change to a time when you are feeling better.

What is Shingles?

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of a latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection. Primary VZV infection manifests as chickenpox, a highly contagious condition that is characterised by an itchy, vesicular rash. Following this initial infection, the virus enters the dorsal root ganglia and remains there as a permanent, dormant infection. Reactivation of this latent VZV infection, generally occurring decades later, causes shingles.

Common symptoms

The predominant symptom of shingles is pain, often with associated paraesthesia (pricking, tingling or numbness). This is followed by the development of a painful rash, similar in appearance to that of chickenpox, which forms itchy, fluid-filled blisters that usually persist for two to four weeks. These disturbances occur in a unilateral dermatomal distribution, corresponding to the ganglia in which the viral infection is located.  Other symptoms may include headache, photophobia, malaise and fever.

Shingles FAQs

How is shingles different to chickenpox?

Although both shingles and chicken pox are caused by VZV, they are two different conditions. The main symptom of chickenpox, which usually occurs in children, is an itchy rash. Shingles, more commonly occurring within the older population, is predominantly characterised by pain.

How common is shingles?

Around 1 in 5 people who have had chickenpox (usually in childhood) go on to develop shingles. That means that 10s of thousands of people in England and Wales will get shingles each year.

How is the shingles vaccine given?

As an injection into the upper arm.

Is there a cure?

There is no cure for shingles.  Painkilling medication can be used to relieve the symptoms until the condition resolves (usually within 4 weeks). Associated secondary conditions can prove extremely difficult to treat and may lead to long-term complications.

Who can have the shingles vaccination?

Shingles vaccination is available to people aged 65 (when turning 65 only), then 70 to 79 (can have up to your 80^th birthday) and aged 50 who are severely immunocompromised (this is a very select few patients and we advise you to enquire if you are eligible with a clinician)

When you’re eligible, you can have the shingles vaccination at any time of year.

The shingles vaccine is not available on the NHS to anyone aged 80 or over because it seems to be less effective in this age group.

Read more about who can have the shingles vaccine.

https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/shingles-vaccine/

How do I get the shingles vaccination?

Once you become eligible for the shingles vaccination, your doctor will take the opportunity to vaccinate you when you attend the surgery for general reasons, or for your annual flu vaccination.

You can have it at the same time as your flu jab in the autumn, if you wish.

If you are worried that you may miss out on the shingles vaccination, we ask you to contact us on 01724 842244 to arrange an appointment to have the vaccine.

Do you need to have the shingles vaccination every year?

No, it’s a one-off injection.

Will there be any side effects from the shingles vaccination?

It’s quite common to get redness and discomfort at the vaccination site, as well as headaches, but these side effects should not last more than a few days. See your GP if you have side effects that last longer than a few days, or if you develop a rash after having the shingles vaccination.

Read more about the side effects of the shingle vaccine. 

https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/shingles-vaccine/

The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill. It's recommended during pregnancy and for adults aged 75 to 79.

What the RSV vaccine is for

The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds. Most people get it several times during their life.

It usually gets better by itself, but in some people (especially babies and older adults) it can cause illnesses such as:

• pneumonia (a lung infection)
• bronchiolitis (a chest infection that affects babies)

These illnesses can cause serious breathing problems. They may need to be treated in hospital and can be life-threatening.

Getting RSV can also make your symptoms worse if you have a lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).

The RSV vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious breathing problems like pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

Who should have the RSV vaccine

The RSV vaccine is recommended if:

• you're pregnant – the vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy (from 28 weeks onwards) to help protect your baby after they're born
• you're aged 75 to 79

Information:

If you're aged 80 or over

If you turned 80 after 1 September 2024, you're eligible for the RSV vaccine until 31 August 2025.

You're not eligible for the RSV vaccine if you turned 80 on or before 1 September 2024.

How to get the RSV vaccine

If you are eligible, please contact our reception team on 01724 842244 to arrange the appropriate appointment.

If you're pregnant

You should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment.

Getting vaccinated as soon as possible from 28 weeks will provide the best protection for your baby. But the vaccine can be given later if needed, including up until you go into labour.

Speak to your maternity service or GP surgery if you're 28 weeks pregnant or more and have not been offered the vaccine.

If you're aged 75 to 79

You may have already been contact by us to invite you in for your appointment, this may be by letter, text, phone call or email.

If you are eligible and you want to be vaccinated, please contact the surgery on 01724 842244.

How the RSV vaccine is given

The RSV vaccine is given as an injection into your upper arm.

Unlike some vaccines (such as flu or COVID-19 vaccines), the RSV vaccine is given all year round.

If you're pregnant, you should have the vaccine during every pregnancy. This will help make sure each baby is protected for the first 6 months after they're born, when they're most likely to get seriously ill if they get RSV.

Older adults only need 1 dose, which should protect them for several years.

Having the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines

If you're pregnant, you can have the RSV vaccine at the same time as other pregnancy vaccines, such as the whooping cough and flu vaccines.

But it's best to have them as soon as they're offered rather than waiting to have them at the same time.

If you're aged 75 to 79, the RSV vaccine is not usually given at the same appointment as your flu or COVID-19 vaccines, but you can have them at the same time if a doctor or nurse thinks it's needed.

You can have it at the same time as other vaccines, such as the shingles and pneumococcal vaccines.

Who cannot have the RSV vaccine

Most people who are eligible for the RSV vaccine can have it.

You only cannot have the vaccine if you've had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine.

Information:

Getting vaccinated if you're unwell

If you have a high temperature, wait until you're feeling better before having the vaccine. Contact your GP surgery or maternity service to rearrange your appointment.

Side effects of the RSV vaccine

The most common side effects of the RSV vaccine are mild and do not last long.

They can include:

• swelling or pain where the injection was given
• a headache
• an aching body

More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction are very rare. Talk to your doctor or the person vaccinating you if you're worried about side effects.

The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.

Is the vaccine safe for my baby?

Studies have shown that having the vaccine during pregnancy is much safer than the risk of your baby getting RSV.

Many thousands of pregnant women have now had the RSV vaccine around the world.

Visit https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/rsv-vaccine/ for any further information where all above information has been taken from. 

The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

Who should have the flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

• are aged 65 or over
• have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant
• live in a care home
• are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• live with someone who has a weakened immune system

How to get the flu vaccine

If you're eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can contact the surgery on 01724 842244 to arrange the appropriate appointment.

Having the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines

You can have the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines such as the COVID-19 and shingles vaccines.

It's not usually given at the same time as the RSV vaccine, but you can have them at the same time if a doctor or nurse thinks it's needed.

Who cannot have the flu vaccine

Most people who are eligible for the flu vaccine can have it.

You only cannot have the vaccine if you've had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine.

Some of the flu vaccines used in the UK contain egg protein. Tell the person vaccinating you if you have an egg allergy.

Getting vaccinated if you're unwell

If you have a high temperature, wait until you're feeling better before having your flu vaccine.

Side effects of the flu vaccine

The most common side effects of the flu vaccine are mild and get better within 1 to 2 days.

They can include:

• pain or soreness where the injection was given
• a slightly raised temperature
• an aching body

More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) are very rare. The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.

The injected flu vaccines used in the UK do not contain live flu viruses. They cannot give you flu.

How well the flu vaccine works and how long it lasts

The flu vaccine aims to protect you against the most common types of flu viruses.

There's still a chance you might get flu after getting vaccinated, but it's likely to be milder and not last as long.

The vaccine usually takes up to 14 days to work.

Protection from the flu vaccine goes down with time and the types of flu virus the vaccine protects against are updated each year. This is why it's important to get the flu vaccine every year.

For more information about the flu vaccination, children flu vaccines and flu jab in pregnancy please visit https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/ where all information above has been taken from

The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect against COVID-19, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. It's offered on the NHS to people at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

What the COVID-19 vaccine is for

COVID-19 vaccination is an important part of protecting yourself if you're at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

The COVID-19 vaccines are offered because viruses change, and protection fades over time. It's important to top up your protection if you're eligible.

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine can:

• help reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms
• help you recover more quickly if you catch COVID-19
• help reduce your risk of having to go to hospital or dying from COVID-19
• protect against different types of COVID-19 virus

You may still get or spread COVID-19 even if you have a vaccine, so it's important to follow advice about how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19.

Who should have the COVID-19 vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people at increased risk from COVID-19.

You may be offered a COVID-19 vaccine if you:

• are aged 65 or over
• are pregnant
• are aged 6 months to 64 years and have an increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 because of a health condition or treatment
• live in a care home for older adults
• are a frontline health or social care worker

How to get the COVID-19 vaccine

If you are eligible for the COVID vaccination, we will invite you for this vaccination. If you need further information as to whether the COVID vaccination is available currently or if you are eligible, please contact the surgery on 01724 842244.

You can call 119 free of charge if you need help finding a walk-in vaccination site. It's open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm (closed on weekends and bank holidays).

Getting vaccinated if you're unwell

If you have, or think you have, COVID-19 wait until you're feeling better before having the vaccine. You should also wait if you have a high temperature or feel very unwell with any illness.

If you’ve recently recovered from COVID-19, there is no need to wait to get the vaccine.

Please visit https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/ for further information, where all of the above information has been taken from.

Please contact the surgery on 01724 842244 to arrange your babies childhood immunisations 

Please visit this link for all information on what immunisations are required and the reasons why they should be given https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/

Please follow this link for all information relating to what vaccinations you should be having in pregnancy. 

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/vaccinations/

If you are unsure, please contact the surgery on 01724 842244 and if you are eligible the reception team will book your for the appropriate appointment.