Flu vaccination appointments for the 2022-2023 season will be available for adults and children at The Oakley Partnership private medical practice in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, from September 2023.

There are currently 6 vaccines approved by PHE. We will be stocking the Sanofi QIVe vaccine, suitable from 6 months of age, and the Sanofi Supemtek QIVr, suitable for 18 years of age and above, including 65+.

The flu vaccine is administered by an experienced registered nurse in a clinical environment. You can choose a date and time to fit in with your own schedule and will be given enough time to ask any questions you may have.

You will not catch the flu from the vaccine as it does not contain a live viral strain. The vaccine will stimulate your immune system into producing antibodies that will fight the virus if you become infected. This production of antibodies may cause a mild temperature increase or slight muscle ache, but this will pass in a couple of days.

This vaccine will take around 10 days to become effective and needs to be repeated annually to maintain protection.

The MMR vaccine gives protection against three serious diseases: measles, mumps and rubella. These were common diseases, and people contracted them usually during childhood. Before vaccination was introduced, although most people survived the diseases, some were left with long-term effects, disability or even death.

The vaccine can be given safely at the same time as other vaccines in the schedule (see the whole UK routine schedule for details of the other vaccines). It is a combination vaccine, which reduces the number of injections a child needs. Read more about combination and multiple vaccinations and why these are not a risk to your baby’s immune system.

Although not a routine vaccination, the BCG is recommended for anyone over 16 who is likely to spend a long period of time at home or abroad, in areas where they may be exposed to tuberculosis, or at risk of occupational exposure such as laboratory or healthcare workers.

It should be remembered that some strains of TB are resistant to treatment.

TB is a serious infection that affects the lungs and sometimes other parts of the body, such as the bones, joints and kidneys. It can also cause Meningitis.

Before receiving the BCG vaccine, we carry out a Mantoux skin test for anyone over the age of 6 or a QuantiFERON Gold blood test to check whether it is safe for you to have the BCG vaccine. This determines whether you have already been infected or have an active form of the disease.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious and infectious disease caused by the Varicella Zoster virus. Though common, it is not always a trivial and insignificant childhood illness and can lead to more critical conditions.

It has an incubation period of up to three weeks from contact with the virus. It is infectious from 2 days before the spots appear until after they have crusted over, usually 5 days after they first appear.

The disease can result in significant loss of income for parents who need to take time off work to care for infected children unable to attend school, as well as causing misery for the affected child.

It is much more severe in adults who did not have chickenpox in childhood and can be especially dangerous in pregnancy for both mother and baby.

HPV is a common transmissible disease which can lead to the development of anogenital cancers in both males and females. The vaccine is licensed from the age of 9.

An HPV vaccine is available to a limited demographic via the NHS. However, for most patients, this is not provided on the NHS.

We are happy to be able to offer these vaccinations to both male and female patients. It is given as a two-dose schedule for patients aged from 9 years of age.

Contact The Oakley Medical Practice today to arrange an appointment for HPV vaccinations.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection commonly found in children. It is spread by coughing or sneezing, close personal contact, or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions.

Although measles has become relatively rare since the introduction of measles immunisation, it has become more prevalent due to a failure in the uptake of the MMR vaccination.

If you would prefer your child to receive single-dose vaccinations (currently unavailable on the NHS), you can arrange them privately to suit your child’s individual needs.

Two doses of the Measles vaccine are required for complete protection; the first is given from 12 months of age, with the second given at least 12 months after the first.

It is common to give the combined measles-rubella vaccine as one of the doses to ensure recommended levels of protection for both Measles and Rubella (German Measles).

Rubella (German Measles) is generally thought to be a mild disease, although complications can arise, especially during pregnancy, so adequate protection is strongly advised for both boys and girls.

Meningococcal disease occurs because of a bacterial infection, which can be life-threatening and may lead to serious side effects as a result of the infection.

The incidence of meningococcal disease is highest in children under five years of age, with a peak incidence in those under one year of age. There is a smaller secondary peak in incidence in 15–19-year-olds. The infection is fatal in 5%-10% of cases, and survivors may develop severe long-term complications, including hearing loss, severe visual impairment, communication problems, limb amputation(s), seizures, and brain damage.

There are many strains of Meningitis, and vaccination is available for protection against Meningitis A, B, C, W, and Y. Vaccination is available to eligible patients through the NHS. For those patients who are not eligible, vaccination is available privately.

Meningitis vaccination is often required for travel to some parts of the world, especially the Middle East, for the Hajj pilgrimage. This is generally NOT available through the NHS but can be sourced privately.

We currently provide vaccinations against Pneumococcal Meningitis, Meningitis B and Meningitis A, C, W and Y.

For those working within a broad spectrum of healthcare or those in contact with hazardous waste, it may be necessary to prove immunisation against occupationally acquired infection. If you need to ensure you are protected, you can book a consultation and, where necessary, arrange for inoculations.