As September settles in and the evenings start pretending they’re already November, our team at Southend Coastal Surgeries in Thorpebay and Shoeburyness begins preparing for one of the biggest health campaigns of the year: flu and COVID‑19 vaccination season. It creeps up quietly — a sniffle here, a cough there — and before long, everyone is asking the same question: “When are the jabs starting?” So let’s talk about it properly, calmly, and with a little humour, because nothing says autumn quite like a queue of people in short sleeves insisting they’re “fine with needles… as long as they don’t look”.
Both flu and COVID‑19 change over time, and the protection from previous vaccines fades. That’s why certain groups are offered seasonal boosters — not because the NHS enjoys paperwork, but because topping up immunity is one of the simplest ways to prevent serious illness, hospitalisation, and all the chaos that comes with winter viruses.
And here’s something important: if you’re eligible for both vaccines but only want one, you can choose. It’s entirely up to you. We’ll support whatever decision feels right for you.
Who Is Eligible for the Flu Vaccine This Year?
For the 2026/27 season, the NHS offers the flu vaccine to:
- Adults aged 65 and over
- Anyone with certain long‑term health conditions (heart disease, lung conditions like asthma or COPD, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, neurological conditions, weakened immune systems, and more)
- Pregnant women
- Carers
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Children aged 2 and 3 (vaccinated here at the surgery)
- School‑aged children from Reception to Year 11 (vaccinated in school by the School Immunisation Team)
Parents often ask why some children come to the surgery and others don’t. The simplest explanation is that the NHS runs a huge national programme for school‑aged children, and schools are the easiest way to reach them all. So if your child is in Reception through Year 11, you won’t need to book with us — the school will handle it. If your child is 2 or 3, they’re still too young for school‑based clinics, so they’ll be invited to Southend Coastal Surgeries- Thorpebay, Shoeburyness and Westcliff Medical centre. And yes, they get the nasal spray, which is far more popular than needles — especially with the under‑fives, who tend to negotiate like tiny lawyers.
Who Is Eligible for the COVID‑19 Vaccine This Season?
The NHS follows national guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). For the 2026/27 programme, the COVID‑19 vaccine is offered to:
- Adults aged 75 and over
- Residents in care homes for older adults
- People aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system
These groups are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell from COVID‑19, which is why they are offered seasonal boosters to keep their protection topped up.
And again — if you’re eligible for both flu and COVID‑19 vaccines but only want one, that’s absolutely fine. You can choose either, or both, or neither. We’re here to support you, not pressure you.
Booking Your Vaccines: Links Coming Soon
This year, we’re making booking even easier. Very soon, we’ll be sending out direct booking links so you can choose your own appointment time without needing to call the surgery. Tap the link, pick a slot, and you’re done — no phone queues, no juggling school runs, no trying to remember where you left your diary.
These links will go out in waves, starting with our most vulnerable patients. So if your neighbour gets theirs before you, don’t panic — your turn is coming.
If your contact details have changed recently, now is the perfect moment to update them so your invitation doesn’t disappear into the digital abyss.
Our Highly Skilled “Needle Ninja” Nurses
Before vaccination season even begins, our nurses are already sharpening their skills — not the needles, don’t worry — by completing all their annual updates, training, and competency checks on the latest flu and COVID‑19 vaccines. They’re an incredibly skilled team: calm, precise, and so quick‑handed that many patients say, “Wait… was that it?” while our nurses are already sticking the plaster on.
We affectionately call them our needle ninjas because they deliver vaccines with such stealth and efficiency that if they ever formed a martial arts troupe, we’d have to sell tickets. They stay fully up‑to‑date with national guidance, safety standards, and best practice, so when you come in for your jab, you’re in the hands of people who could probably vaccinate a moving target — but promise they won’t test that theory on you.
They’re experts, they’re gentle, and they’re ready. All you need to do is roll up your sleeve.
Why We’d Prefer You to Have Your Vaccines at the Surgery
Pharmacies are brilliant — truly. They’re convenient, they work incredibly hard, and they vaccinate huge numbers of people every year. We’re lucky to have so many excellent pharmacists in Southend who support the NHS and keep our community healthy.
But if you’re eligible for an NHS flu or COVID‑19 vaccine, we gently encourage you to have it done here at the Southend Coastal Surgeries. Not because pharmacies aren’t wonderful, but because having your vaccine with us keeps your care tidy, safe, and joined‑up in a way that only your GP team can do.
When you come to us, your vaccine drops straight into your medical record the moment it’s given. We can see your full history — your medications, allergies, long‑term conditions, previous reactions — everything we need to make sure the vaccine is exactly right for you.
It also helps us keep your winter care coordinated. Flu and COVID‑19 season often overlap with asthma reviews, medication changes, blood pressure checks, and general winter planning. When you’re here, we can spot things early and support you properly.
And if you feel unwell afterwards (rare, but possible), you’re already with the team who knows you. No confusion, no duplicated records, no wondering who to call.
Side Effects: What to Expect
Most people feel absolutely fine after their flu or COVID‑19 vaccine. You might get a slightly achy arm, a bit of tiredness, or a mild temperature — all signs your immune system is waking up and doing its job. These usually settle within a day or two.
If you feel very unwell or you’re worried, just get in touch. And no — neither vaccine can give you flu or COVID‑19. Those myths really do need to retire.
Why We Can’t “Just Give the Vaccine Because You Want It”
Every year we hear the same understandable question: “Can’t I just have the vaccine anyway?” And we completely get it — wanting to protect yourself and your family is a good thing. But the NHS vaccination programmes (both flu and COVID‑19) are based on national evidence, safety data, and strict eligibility rules. These rules aren’t there to be awkward; they’re there to make sure vaccines go to the people who benefit most from them.
Vaccines are offered at specific ages and to specific groups because that’s where the research shows they make the biggest difference. Some vaccines only work properly when given at certain ages. Some are less effective — or even less safe — if given too early. Others are prioritised for people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell. It isn’t about denying anyone protection; it’s about making sure the right protection goes to the right people at the right time.
We also have to follow national supply and safety guidance. We can’t give vaccines outside the programme, even if someone is keen, because it would mean stepping outside the evidence‑based rules that keep patients safe. So while we love that people want to stay healthy, we can only vaccinate those who meet the NHS criteria.
If You Think You Have Flu or COVID‑19: What to Do
Both illnesses tend to announce themselves dramatically: one minute you’re fine, and the next you’re shivering under a blanket wondering why your bones feel like wet cardboard.
If you think you’ve caught flu or COVID‑19, the most important thing is to stay home, rest, and avoid spreading it to others — especially those who are vulnerable.
Most people recover well with rest, fluids, and over‑the‑counter medication for symptoms. But if you’re struggling to breathe, feeling very unwell, confused, or not improving after a few days, please seek medical advice. And if you’re in one of the eligible groups, it’s sensible to get in touch sooner rather than later.
Please don’t come into the surgery if you think you have flu or COVID‑19. We love seeing you, but we don’t love viruses spreading around the waiting room. Call us, use online triage, or contact NHS 111 if you’re unsure.
Home Visits for Housebound Patients
Not everyone can simply pop down to the surgery for their vaccines. Some of our patients are housebound — whether due to mobility issues, severe illness, disability, or frailty — and they deserve the same protection as everyone else.
If you’re housebound, you won’t be forgotten. Our team organises dedicated home‑visit clinics for both flu and COVID‑19 vaccines. We’ll contact you directly to arrange a suitable time.
If your circumstances have changed and you’re now unable to travel, please let us know so we can add you to our home‑visit list.
A Few Final Reminders
Please arrive at your appointment on time — not too early and not too late — so our clinics run smoothly and everyone gets seen promptly. Wear short sleeves or a loose top that can easily be rolled up.
Flu and COVID‑19 season can feel overwhelming, but your vaccines are some of the simplest ways to protect yourself and the people you love. With booking links on the way and clinics running throughout autumn, we’re ready to look after you — and we’re grateful for every patient who rolls up their sleeve and helps keep Southend healthy this winter.
For more healthcare blogs go to http://www.southendcoastalsurgeries.co.uk
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