FLU SEASON IS COMING, BE READY! Last year saw a big flu epidemic hit UK businesses and, as the Autumn approaches, we need to be sure that we are protecting ourselves and our work forces against the debilitating virus. By getting the flu jab, you’ll be able to protect yourself, your employees and your loved ones from falling ill.
There are organisations who, for a fee, will come into the workplace and administer the vaccine on site. However, for some ‘at-risk’ groups, such as more senior workers, expectant mums or those with an underlying medical condition, the flu virus can be life threatening so the NHS offers these people a free vaccination.
Around 1 in 4 Stockport residents fall into an ‘at-risk’ group and could suffer serious health problems if they became ill with flu.
Eligible groups for free vaccination:
- Individuals aged 65 year or over
- Paid and unpaid carers
- Pregnant women
- Healthcare workers
- Children aged 2, 3 & 4
- Chronic respiratory disease (e.g. severe asthma, obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis)
- Chronic heart disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Neurological disease
- Diabetes
- Splenic Dysfunction
- A weakened immune system, due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (e.g. cancer treatment)
The flu vaccine for children is a pain-free nasal spray and is available each year on the NHS for two-, three- and four-year-olds plus children in school years one and two. Children with a long-term health condition should also have a flu vaccination because their illness could get worse if they catch flu.
If you’re pregnant or have recently delivered, you should also have the flu jab, regardless of the stage of pregnancy you’ve reached. Pregnant women are more prone to complications from flu that can cause serious illness for both mother and baby.
Councillor John Pantall, Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Independence & Wellbeing, said:
“To avoid outbreaks of flu across Stockport, we are urging individuals eligible for a free NHS flu jab to protect themselves and their loved ones by contacting their GP to arrange their annual flu vaccine. The flu jab is very safe – it has been used by millions around the world – and highly effective, protecting you against all the types of flu that may be around.”
If you’re in an ‘at-risk’ group, please contact your GP to arrange your annual flu jab.
For further information about the flu vaccine and for a list of the other at-risk groups that are recommended to have the vaccine visit www.stockport.gov.uk/fluvaccinations