Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases. If you are invited by the NHS to have a vaccine, please take that opportunity.
To find out more about vaccinations you and your family may be entitled to, please visit our vaccinations hub.
The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are a frontline health and social care workers
- 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
For more information about the flu vaccine, eligibility and where to get yours, click the links below.
Between 1 February and 31 March patients can only receive a covid vaccination with a signed Patient Specific Direction (PSD), signed by a specialist consultant or GP at the following pharmacy:
- Essex Pharmacy
Some vaccines, such as the inactivated seasonal flu vaccine, the whooping cough vaccine, and the COVID-19 seasonal booster, are recommended during pregnancy to protect the health of both you and your baby.
During the flu season, it is safe to get your flu vaccine at the same time as your whooping cough vaccine.
Our immunisation teams offer vaccines to women who are over 16 weeks pregnant at Basildon Hospital. You can receive your vaccine every Tuesday and Friday between 9am and 5pm at our drop-in session in the antenatal clinic.
RSV vaccination
The RSV vaccination is recommended if you’re 28 weeks pregnant or more – this will help protect your baby for the first few months after they’re born. You can have your vaccination at one of the drop in-sessions or via your GP. Alternatively our immunisation team will be contacting pregnant people from 24 weeks to offer them the RSV vaccine and book appointments (from 28 weeks).
We understand that for some people, having a vaccination while pregnant can be worrying. If you have concerns or questions, please visit our drop-in clinics, where our healthcare teams can answer your questions and explain why we recommend these vaccinations.