Give Flu The Cold Shoulder This Winter

4th October 2016

Give Flu The Cold Shoulder This Winter

Heath and social care chiefs are urging people at risk of becoming seriously ill from flu, to get their free NHS vaccination as soon as possible.

Flu can be unpleasant but, for most people, it will usually clear up on its own within a week or so.

However, for people in ‘at-risk’ groups, such as pensioners, expectant mums or those with an underlying medical condition, the flu virus can be life threatening so vaccination is vitally important.

Eligible groups for free vaccination include:

• People aged 65 or over
• Pregnant women
• Children aged 2, 3 & 4
• Chronic respiratory disease (e.g. severe asthma, bronchitis)
• Chronic heart or liver disease
• Neurological disease
• Diabetes
• People with a weakened immune system

The flu vaccine for children is a pain-free nasal spray and is available each year on the NHS for two-, three- and four-year-olds (at their GP Practice) plus children in school years one, two and three will be offered the vaccination in school.

If you’re pregnant or have recently delivered, you should also have the flu jab, regardless of the stage of pregnancy you’ve reached. Pregnant women are more prone to complications from flu that can cause serious illness for both mother and baby.

Dr Ranjit Gill, a local GP and Chief Clinical Officer of NHS Stockport CCG, added ““When you understand how dangerous flu can be to anyone in an “at risk” group, it makes sense that the NHS offer free immunisation to them. Please don’t take risks with your health – have your flu jab and play safe!”

Councillor Tom McGee, Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Health, said: “The best time of the year to have the flu jab is from the beginning of October, so I’d encourage all residents who are eligible for the free flu jab to contact their GP. Even if you’ve already had a flu vaccine in previous years, you need another one each year.”

The vaccine is now available at all GP surgeries .If you’re in an ‘at-risk’ group, and have not yet been contacted by your practice to arrange your annual flu jab, please contact them now.