Flu Advice

Protect yourself against flu

Getting flu can be really miserable. It can make even the healthiest of people bedridden and cause hospitalisation and even death for those at risk.

Flu movie on youtube

Some groups of people are more at risk of flu than others, they are people who suffer with:

  • Diabetes
  • Heart conditions
  • Chest conditions including asthma
  • Kidney conditions
  • Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
  • People who live in long-stay residential or nursing homes
  • Pregnant women at any stage

 

Flu jabs are free to those people who fall into these risk groups. You need to have the jab every year and the best time is between September and November.
It is quick and painless and not only will it protect you from being poorly it will also prevent you from passing the illness onto your friends and family. Flu jabs cannot give you flu and are the most effective way to prevent an epidemic that endangers the lives of thousands of people.

Flu is highly infectious and can spread very rapidly by coughs and sneezes from people who are already carrying the virus.

As well as the flu jab, those over 65 and some in at risk groups are eligible for pneumococcal vaccination. Some people are also entitled to a flu vaccination from their employer.

To make arrangement to have the flu vaccination contact your GP practice.

You can download information below:

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Important information about the seasonal flu vaccine.

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You can download the at risk poster here.

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The Protect your bump postcard and poster here

Facts about seasonal flu

  • The flu vaccine is not live and therefore cannot give you Flu.
  • Deaths from flu and related illnesses are often underestimated but 3,000-4,000 people die every year.
  • Last year s flu jab will not protect you this year - the flu virus changes every year and the vaccine is made to protect against the strains of flu that are most likely.
  • It is not possible to predict how bad flu will be each year, so don't be complacent - get a flu jab and you will be protected whatever happens.
  • The flu jab is given at special clinics at your GP practice in the autumn and early winter - if you are unsure whether you should have the vaccine, speak to your GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Flu vaccination myth busting mission

Find your way though the myths and facts about the seasonal flu vaccine,
click here. (document, opens in a new window)

Pregnant Women

This year, all pregnant women who are also in the at risk groups will be offered the seasonal flu vaccine, even if they have previously had the swine flu vaccine. All other pregnant women who are not in at risk groups, and who have not previously had the swine flu vaccine, are encouraged to have the seasonal flu jab.

Health Care Workers

All eligible front line health and social care workers are offered the seasonal flu vaccine through their Occupational Health teams. Having the immunisation not only protects the individual, but also their families, colleagues and clients. This is especially important for those workers who have contact with ill or vulnerable clients.