Seasonal Flu Vaccination
Seasonal flu is a highly infectious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It spreads rapidly through the coughs and sneezes of infected people.
Seasonal flu immunisation, or the flu jab, is the injection of a vaccine against flu. The vaccine is made from the strains of flu that are expected in the coming winter. It gives good protection from flu that lasts for one year. The flu jab is offered to people in at-risk groups, who are at greater risk of developing serious complications from flu. To stay protected, they need to have it every year.
Seasonal flu vaccinations should be available at the surgery from October for at-risk patients, or those aged 65 or over. The vaccine is made from the strains of flu that are expected in the coming winter.
Who is at risk from flu?
- If you are aged 65 years or over
- If you have a chronic respiratory disease (including asthma)
- if you are on regular inhaled steroids
- If you have chronic heart disease
- If you have chronic renal disease
- If you are diabetic
- If you have a weak immune system
- If you live in a long-stay residential or nursing home
- If you have a chronic liver disease
- If you are a carer
Do I need to be protected against pneumococcal infection?
Everybody aged 65 and over should now be immunised to help protect them against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis.
Please phone the surgery during September to make an appointment if the above applies to you.
