The annual flu immunisation programme is to protect the elderly and at people at risk, who have a long-term condition.
The vaccine usually arrives in the surgery for the beginning of October. We encourage the over 65 year olds and anyone suffering from heart, stroke, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, asthma or respiratory problems, those who are pregnant, or have a weakened immune system, to make an appointment and come along to have their jag.
Appointments can be made in the usual manner for the Flu clinics. These are run by Sister Everett. Also Health Care Support workers, Claire and Yvonne have been trained to give the flu jag and they will have clinics on as well. Those who are housebound will be given their flu jag in their own home or nursing home.
Why you should get your flu jag (if you are eligible for a free one from the NHS)
About 600 people a year die from flu in the UK, rising to around 13,000 during an epidemic.
Flu vaccination is available every year on the NHS to protect people at risk of flu and its complications.
Flu can be unpleasant, but if you are otherwise healthy it will usually clear up on its own within a week.
However, flu can be more severe in certain people such as:
- anyone over the age of 65
- pregnant women
- people with an underlying health condition (particularly long-term heart or respiratory disease, liver disease, kidney disease and others)
- people with weakened immune systems
If you’re in one of these risk groups, you’re more likely to develop potentially serious complications of flu, such as pneumonia (a lung infection), so it’s well worth having a flu jab every year to protect you. Flu jabs for people in risk groups are available free on the NHS.
Remember – the cold is NOT the flu. If you get the cold following getting the Flu jag it does mean that it didn’t work. The flu jag protects you against the INFLUENZA Virus which is completely different from a bad cold.
Check out the NHS webpage for yourself, everything you always wanted to know about the flu jag:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.aspx
If you are not in one of the at risk categories or over 65 years old, then unfortunately the government will not provide you with a free flu jag. It simply doesn’t have the funding to do this. However, if you would still like to get one, you can pay £18 at the Travel Clinic Glasgow Airport to have this service provided.
Call the Travel Clinic on 0141 8484800 to arrange an appointment.
