Valley Road Medical Practice

11/11/2025

10/11/2025

Have you always wanted to give running a go .. well now is your chance, the new running group for Couch to 5K will be starting in January 2026. Open to all patients, all abilities.

09/11/2025

The flu can make children very unwell, and they can also pass it on to others. Getting your child vaccinated helps protect them, your family, and your community.

07/11/2025

07/11/2025

There will be times in life that people let you down, but try not to let yourself down. Just keep being you and be proud of what you do.

07/11/2025

The Cervical Screening Drop in Clinic on 8th November has been RESCHEDULED to Saturday 15th November - 8.30am - 12.30pm. We are very sorry about this change in date.

01/11/2025

If you're becoming a mummy (and not the kind wrapped in bandages), you can protect yourself and your baby this spooky season. 👶🎃
🧡 Speak to your midwife or GP practice to find out more.

29/10/2025

Changes to Childhood Vaccinations (2025):

From 1 July 2025, the UK routine childhood immunisation schedule will be updated to better protect infants and young children at the times they are most vulnerable to serious infectious diseases.

These changes have been carefully considered and recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), and they reflect current evidence on disease patterns and vaccine effectiveness.

From 1 July 2025:

💉 MenB (Meningococcal B) vaccine will now be given at 8 and 12 weeks of age (previously 8 and 16 weeks) — offering earlier protection when infants are most at risk.

💉 Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) will move from 12 weeks to 16 weeks of age — to balance the number of injections at each visit and maintain protection.

❌ The Hib/MenC (Menitorix®) vaccine will no longer be offered at 12 months of age. Remaining eligible children born before 1 July 2024 can still receive Menitorix® while stocks last.

❌ The monovalent hepatitis B vaccine given at 12 months in selective neonatal cases will be discontinued.

From 1 January 2026:

✅ A new 18-month vaccination appointment will be introduced:

💉 A fourth dose of DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB (6-in-1) vaccine

💉 The second dose of the MMR vaccine (moved earlier from 3 years 4 months)

Why Are These Changes Being Made?

📊 The peak age of meningococcal disease has shifted to earlier in infancy. Moving the second MenB dose to 12 weeks gives babies protection when they need it most.

🧪 Recent studies support shorter intervals between MenB doses without loss of efficacy.

🧸 Reducing the number of vaccines at 12 weeks helps ease the experience for babies and families while maintaining timely protection.

🕒 Introducing an 18-month check ensures children stay on track with protection against key diseases before entering nursery or pre-school.

What Parents and Carers need to know:

- Your child’s vaccinations will still be free and available via the NHS.

- If your child is already partway through the vaccination schedule, their GP practice will ensure the correct schedule is followed based on their date of birth.

- If your child is eligible for Menitorix®, you will still be able to access it while stocks last.