Keep well in the New Year with a free NHS flu jab
Date: 14 January 2019
The local NHS says the New Year still provides time for ‘at risk’ patients to have a free NHS flu vaccination.
‘At risk’ groups include patients aged 65 and over, adults living with a long term condition such as diabetes, chronic heart disease and asthma, and all pregnant women.
People eligible for a free vaccine should visit their GP practice when invited to have a jab. Flu can seriously affect their health and the risks of developing complications are higher for people in these ‘at risk’ groups.
Parents are asked to get their children aged 2 and 3 vaccinated against flu with a simple and quick nasal spray at their GP practice when asked. Children are super-spreaders of flu, and by vaccinating them it reduces the risk of transmission to frail and elderly groups.
Dr Ed Capo-Bianco, Clinical Locality Director at Oxfordshire CCG said: “We encourage eligible patients to have a free flu vaccination to protect them this winter. There is still time for these patients to have the vaccine from their GP practice when invited.”
Ed said: “The flu is not the same as getting a cold. It can seriously affect your health and the risks of developing complications are greater for people within the ‘at-risk’ groups. Healthy individuals usually recover within two to seven days, but for some the disease can lead to a stay in hospital, permanent disability or even death.”
For more information on flu vaccinations visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
- Summary:
Still time for eligible patients to protect themselves against flu
- Transformation:
- Date:14 January 2019