Should I get the Flu Vaccination?
For most people, flu is unpleasant but not serious. You will usually recover within a week.
However, certain people are at greater risk of developing serious complications of flu, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. These conditions may require hospital treatment.
The flu vaccine is offered free to people who are at risk, to protect them from catching flu and developing serious complications.
At-risk groups
It is recommended that you have a flu jab if you fall into one or more of the following categories:
are 65 years old or over
are pregnant (including those becoming age 65 years by 31 March 2015)
all pregnant women (including those women who become pregnant during the flu season)
all those aged two, three, and four years old (but not five years or older) on 1 September 2014
all school-aged children who are part of the pilot childhood programme
have a serious medical condition (see below)
are living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility (not including prisons, young offender institutions or university halls of residence)
people who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill
are a frontline health or social care worker (see below)
If you are the parent of a child who is over six months old and has a long-term condition on the list below, speak to your GP about the flu vaccine. Your child’s condition may get worse if they catch flu.
Pregnant women
It is recommended that all pregnant women should have the flu vaccine, whatever stage of pregnancy they’re in.
This is because there is good evidence that pregnant women have an increased risk of developing complications if they get flu, particularly from the H1N1 strain.
Studies have shown that the flu vaccine can be safely and effectively given during any trimester of pregnancy. The vaccine does not carry risks for either the mother or baby. In fact, studies have shown that mothers who have had the vaccine while pregnant pass some protection to their babies, which lasts for the first few months of their lives.
Flu Vaccination Clinics
Please ring and speak to one of our receptionists to book a flu jab.
Children that are aged 2, 3 or 4 years are eligible.
Only book into nasal flu clinics not flu clinics.
They cannot be less than 2years or 5years and over, unless at risk.
Pneumonia
Anyone 65 years or over can have a one off vaccine for pneumonia.
If they haven’t had it before please book an appointment as a second appointment to the flu vaccination.