All about Influenza (Flu) and How to stop getting it: Facts

1.  Anyone can catch Influenza (flu)

2.  Flu is caused by the Flu Virus (a germ)

3.  Flu can make you feel ill; if you are very ill, you might need to go to hospital.

4.  Symptoms of Flu are: blocked up nose, painful ear, sore throat, high temperature, difficulty breathing, dry cough, tiredness and aches. These symptoms can be mild or severe.

5.  Prevent Flu by: having the flu vaccine: which can help stop you catching flu and passing it on to other people.

6.  The Flu vaccine is given by the nurse at your doctors.

7.  The best time to have your flu vaccine is from September to December each year

8.  Who should get the flu vaccine? The following vulnerable groups to flu should get the Flu vaccine.

Vulnerable groups include the following: People who should have the flu vaccine.
The injected flu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to people who are at risk. This is to ensure they are protected against catching flu and developing serious complications. You are eligible to receive a free flu vaccine if you:
a.  are 65 years of age or over
b.  are pregnant
c.  have certain medical conditions
d.  are living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility
e.  receive a carer's allowance, or you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill.
Influenza (Flu) vaccine for children
f.  children over the age of six months with a long-term health condition
g.  children aged two and three on 31 August 2017 – that is, born between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2015
h.  Children in reception class and school years one, two,three and four will be offered the Flu vaccine in schools.
i.  Children aged between six months and two years of age who are eligible for the flu vaccine should have the flu jab from the GP practice.
j.  Children eligible for the flu vaccine aged between two and 17 will usually have the flu vaccine nasal spray.

Source: Public Health England 2017/18 Flu campaign.

9.  Will the Flu vaccine make me feel ill: After you get your flu vaccine, you may: feel a bit hot, have a sore arm (flu jab) ache a bit, but do not worry, if you do feel ill, because it will go away in a few days. If symptoms persist; always seek advice from you doctor as it may be something else other than the flu vaccine.

10.  What do I need to do to get a flu vaccine:

  1. Your doctors should get in touch with you to come in for a flu vaccine; all eligible residents: If they do not get in touch, you should contact them (your Doctors) to arrange to have one; for example – I am phoning to ask for my flu vaccine please?
  2. Children in reception and of school years one, two, three and four will be offered the flu vaccine (nasal spray) in schools by a provider called vaccination UK.

For more information or questions you may have: talk to your GP or a person called the Pharmacist.

NHS Choices: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx

For better health during the winter: you should also have:

1. The Pneumococcal vaccine: NHS Choices http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/pneumococcal-vaccination.aspx and

2. The Shingles Vaccine: NHS Choices: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/shingles-vaccination.aspx

3. And any other relevant vaccines recommended by your GP.