Flu’s here – get vaccinated now!

21st November 2017

Health and social care leaders in Stockport have made an urgent call for residents eligible for free flu vaccinations to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

The call follows a number of reports of cases of flu in Greater Manchester and an outbreak of flu at a school in Bolton.

Australia was hit by its worst flu season in decades with many people dying as a result of the flu and it is expected the UK will also be hit hard.

The flu virus can affect all age groups but pensioners and people who have an underlying health condition can suffer life threatening complications.

Dr Ranjit Gill, a local GP and Chief Clinical Officer of NHS Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Every few years we tend to get a particularly dangerous strain of flu circulating and this year looks like the year for it.

“That makes it even more important that you have your free NHS flu jab if you’re eligible for one. The NHS offers the vaccine free for good reason – if you’re in what we call an “at risk” group you’ve got a higher chance than most of suffering dangerous complications if you catch flu. Please don’t risk your health, get protected now.”

Ann Barnes, chief executive of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust which runs Stepping Hill Hospital said: “Flu can be a very serious illness for people in at risk groups such as those older people, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions or those with weakened immune systems.

“Every year we have to admit seriously ill patients to our hospital because of flu and we want to avoid that this year. We’re vaccinating our staff, and we urge everyone eligible to get their flu vaccination too.”

Councillor Tom McGee, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, said:
“To avoid outbreaks of flu across Stockport, we are urging individuals eligible for a free flu vaccine who haven’t had it yet to get one as soon as possible.

“Last year we had a serious outbreak of flu in a couple of our schools in Stockport, which resulted in many staff and children being very poorly and the schools closing. It is worrying to hear of the school outbreak in Bolton and I would urge all parents to make sure they give consent for their children to receive the free painless nasal flu vaccination.”

People eligible for a FREE flu vaccine from their GP or midwife include anyone aged 65 or over, pregnant women, registered carers and children aged 2 and 3. Also people with long term health conditions like chronic respiratory, heart, liver, kidney or neurological disease are eligible for a free flu jab as are anyone with diabetes or a weakened immune system.

Children in school years Reception and Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 will receive their vaccine at school.

For further information, visit https://www.nhs.uk/staywell or ww.stockport.gov.uk/fluvaccinations.