TranslateFlu Vaccination
This year, the NHS is aiming to vaccinate around 4.5 million people in the South East – up from 2.6 million last winter – to help prevent the spread of flu. For the first time, children in school Year 7, and household contacts and carers of those on the NHS Shielded Patient List, are all eligible for the free vaccination. The full list of those who are eligible for a free flu vaccine on the NHS is below:
- People aged 65 years and over
- Patients aged from six months to 65 years in clinical ‘at risk’ groups (see below)
- Pregnant women
- Children aged 2 and 3
- Children in primary school and Year 7
- People in long-stay residential care homes
- Social care and hospice workers who provide direct patient contact
- Health and social care staff working in residential/nursing homes
- Patients on the NHS shielded patient list
- Household contacts of carers and those on the NHS shielded patient list
Dr Edward Capo-Bianco, Urgent Care Lead at Oxfordshire CCG 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 why vulnerable groups should have the flu vaccine please see here
Flu Support for Pregnant Women
Several studies have shown that it is completely safe to have the flu vaccine whilst pregnant and breastfeeding. The vaccine also passes on some protection to your baby, which lasts for the first few months of their lives. You are more at risk of severe illness from flu at any stage of pregnancy,
One of the most common complications of flu is bronchitis, a chest infection that can become serious and develop into pneumonia and if you have flu while you're pregnant, it could cause your baby to be born prematurely or have a low birthweight, and may even lead to stillbirth or death, so we advise that you have this year's vaccine as soon as possible.
Ali Cuthbertson, our Director of Midwifery, talks about the importance of keeping yourself safe by having your flu vaccine.
Flu Support For Faith Communities
Faith and community leaders in Oxford are also encouraging their communities to get vaccinated. Imam Monawar Hussain, Muslim Chaplain, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust explains the important of getting a flu vaccine and reassures the community that it is safe to do so here
Flu Vaccination Messages In English, Urdu, Bengali, Arabic, Punjabi & Pashto:
Click here to listen in Bengali
Click here to listen in Urdu
Click here to listen in Punjabi
Click here to listen in Arabic
Click here to listen in Pashto
Ariel Lanada – Chair of the Oxfordshire Filipino Association explains the important of getting a flu vaccine and reassures the community that it is safe to do so.
Advice For Those With Learning Disabilities
Please see below for some useful advice from Learning Disability Nurse Becky Sparks
Click here for general flu advice
Click here for flu advice in sign language
Why You Should Have The Flu Jab - With Dr Raj Thakkar
