Having a flu vaccination will help protect you, your family and your NHS
Issued by NHS North East Essex, NHS West Suffolk and NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk clinical commissioning groups
Health professionals across north east Essex and Suffolk are emphasising that it has never been more crucial for people in at-risk groups to have a flu vaccination.
It is safe to attend a flu clinic to have your vaccination. This year there will be a change to the way flu vaccinations are delivered as health teams need to factor in social distancing and infection prevention measures in order to continue to keep people safe.
Some GP practices may be offering drive-through appointments at community centres or village halls, and practices will soon be contacting those eligible by letter, telephone or text to offer specific time appointments rather than the usual drop-in sessions. Please be patient – you don’t need to contact your GP practice as they’ll be in touch with you.
Many local community pharmacies are also offering bookable flu vaccination appointments for those who are eligible. So please contact your pharmacy for details. Pharmacies are working with GP colleagues to ensure the best possible access to the vaccine for all eligible groups and may be able to offer evening or weekend appointments.
While a flu vaccination will not protect you against Covid-19, it will reduce some of the very serious consequences of flu, which can lead to existing health issues getting worse or the development of conditions such as pneumonia or bronchitis, middle ear infections in children or brain damage in unborn babies.
The vaccine won’t stop all flu viruses but if you do get flu after vaccination it is likely to be milder and shorter-lived than it otherwise might have been. For most children the flu vaccine is a quick and easy nasal spray. Children aged 2 and 3 receive the vaccine through their GP and those at school from Reception to Year 7 will receive it in school.
By having a flu vaccination you’ll not only be protecting your own health, but also helping prevent the spread of flu to others as well reducing the risk of hospital admission and protecting our precious NHS resources.
Patients in ‘at risk’ groups who are eligible to receive a free flu vaccination include:
- everyone aged 65 years or over
- women who are pregnant
- those aged six months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups including patients who suffer from a chronic illness, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), kidney disease, hepatitis, Parkinsons, HIV and diabetes
- children aged two or three years old on 31 August 2020
- all primary school-aged children
- children with a health condition that puts them at a greater risk of fluthose in
- long-stay residential care homes
- carers
- all frontline health and social care workers
This year also includes:
- year 7 secondary school-aged children
- household members of those who may have been shielding
- later in the year the age range will extend to those aged 50-64
Dr Hasan Chowhan, a GP in Colchester and chairman of NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We’ve been planning hard to ensure we’re able to deliver an effective flu vaccination programme this year, working with our primary care and community pharmacy colleagues.
“Things will certainly be a bit different this year, since drop-in appointments are currently not practical. So instead, over the coming weeks, practices will be busy contacting their eligible patients to book them in for appointment. I urge people not to contact their surgery to try and book an appointment. Please wait until you are contacted. Don’t worry, we will be in touch.”
Dr Mark Shenton, a GP in Stowmarket and chairman of NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “I want to reassure people that it is safe to attend a flu vaccination appointment at the GP practice or community pharmacy, and I urge people not to be deterred from protecting their health this winter.
“The momentous events of the last seven months have certainly given us all cause for anxiety and concern, but if anything, these events have given everyone in an at-risk group even greater reason to have a flu vaccination.
“The flu vaccination will help protect your health and the health of your loved ones, so please don’t ignore the appointment invitation from your GP practice.”
Dr Christopher Browning, a GP in Long Melford and chairman of NHS West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “This year will see an extension of those people in the at-risk groups who are eligible for a free flu vaccination, including members of households where people were shielding and young people in Year 7 at school.
“Additionally, it has been announced nationally that people aged 50 – 64 years will be eligible to receive a vaccination later this year. It’s important to remember though that people in this age category will not be contacted until at least November and this depends on availability of the vaccine.”
Junchao Jiang, Pharmacist from Parade Pharmacy in Sudbury, said: ‘’This flu season will be our biggest challenge yet so making a booking with your local community pharmacy is essential so we can deliver your flu jab in the safest method possible. Many community pharmacies are offering evenings and weekend bookings so please speak to your local team about what they can offer you so we can keep you well.”
Cllr James Reeder, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Prevention said:
“If you intend to receive your flu vaccination from your GP please wait until you are contacted by the surgery. Once you are contacted it is incredibly important that you take up your appointment. It’s important not only for your health, but also for those you love as it reduces the chance of spreading the flu virus.
“Flu can be deadly, with an estimated 10,000 people dying each year in England and Wales. The flu vaccine is our best protection against it. Although things will be different this year, please be assured that measures have been put in place to make sure it is safe for you and those you love to have your flu vaccination.”
Visit the NHS website for more information on flu vaccination here
http://www.westsuffolkccg.nhs.uk/
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Needham Market Town Council
Accounting Statement Year Ending 31st March 2020
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Accessibility Statement
Needham Market Town Council is working hard to make its website accessible.
This is to adhere to the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. We are currently updating our website to ensure it meets these regulations.
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Town Council meetings 2020
The first meeting of the Town Council, since the Coronavirus Lockdown was imposed, took place on Wednesday 15th July. Councillors resolved to move to holding only one meeting each month (third Wednesday) until the end of the Calendar year. Future meeting dates are therefore:
Wednesday 19th August
Wednesday 16th September
Wednesday 21st October
Wednesday 18th November
Wednesday 16th December
Meetings are held at Needham Market Community Centre, School Street commencing at 7:30pm. Members of public are welcome to attend.
Please be aware that COVID-19 Regulations and guidance will be adhered to. See the Agenda and COVID-19 Risk Assessment under the Town Council Heading, ‘Town Council: Meetings, Agendas and Minutes’.
New local COVID-19 App and phone line launched
to connect volunteers and people who need help:
HOME, BUT NOT ALONE
Suffolk urged to rally together as new local COVID-19 app and phoneline launched to connect volunteers and people who need help
A new Suffolk-focused community service has been set up to support people who need help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Called ‘Home But Not Alone’, the service has been launched to help connect people who want to volunteer in their communities with neighbours who are most in need.
The service will mean willing volunteers, charities, town and parish councils, community and religious groups can all log their details and offers of support on an app, while people who need help can phone to request support. As the number of offers and requests grows, they will be matched so that the right help can be given where it’s most needed. This support could include delivering groceries, medication or essential household goods, in line with Government social distancing guidelines.
The free app, called Tribe Volunteer, can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The telephone number for those in genuine need of help is freephone 0800 876 6926 and will be staffed from 09:00 to 17:00, seven days a week.
The Home, But Not Alone service was created by partners from Suffolk’s councils, police, health bodies and charitable organisations which come together as the Collaborative Communities Board. Chrissie Geeson, the board chair, said:
“In these challenging times, it has been incredibly heartening to have so many people volunteer to help others. In villages and towns across Suffolk, people have taken it upon themselves to mobilise a small army of volunteers to do what they can for people in need.
“The support service will encompass this work but will bring structure and routine to these offers of help. This is just the start of this new service, so we expect the number of offers and requests to grow. People who want to help, or need help, should let us know and we will do the rest.
“It is testament to the hard work of all Suffolk organisations and sectors that we are able to offer this invaluable help.”
The telephone line is not a general information line for COVID-19 queries, but those in need can seek information on support with care needs, loneliness and to connect with community support. This is a new service and will adapted to demand over the coming weeks. People are still being urged to check gov.uk for the latest guidance on a wide range of issues and changes caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Needham Market Town Council Newsletter – April edition cancelled
Due to the COVID19 situation, the Council is reviewing how it communicates with the community. The current form of Newsletter is unlikely to be produced during this COVID19 period due to the vulnerability of our deliverers at this time. There will be no more Newsletters until further notice.
Click on the Link below to view the draft Needham Market
Neighbourhood Plan document which was the subject
of the Public Consultation Event held in January 2020:
Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan Draft Document
Needham Market Town Council
2018/2019 Year End Accounts
Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) 2018/2019:
Needham Market Community Centre
All enquiries regarding hiring or use of the Community Centre must be emailed to the Community Centre Manager, Mr Martin Spurling: needhammarket.communitycentre@btinternet.com.
or telephone: 07756 575158.
Needham Lake
Needham Lake is owned and operated by Mid Suffolk District Council and all enquiries relating to it should be made directly to them.
Please see their Website for contact details: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk