THERE are still people in Warrington who have not had their flu jab – and the borough council is reminding eligible residents to get it before it’s too late.
Flu is a highly infectious illness and can lead to serious complications if you have a long-term health condition like COPD, bronchitis, emphysema, diabetes, heart, kidney or liver disease or have suffered a stroke.
Flu on top of health conditions like these can easily develop into something very serious and could land you in hospital.
People with these and other long-term health conditions are eligible for a free flu jab through their pharmacist or GP. Pregnant women, people aged over 65, carers, frontline health and social care workers, children aged 2-3 as well as school children from reception class through to Year 4 are also eligible for the free flu vaccine.
For eligible children, the flu vaccine is not an injection but a quick nasal spray. Flu can be horrible for young children, and if they get it, they can spread it around the whole family. Children who get the flu have the same symptoms as adults – including fever, chills, aching muscles, headache, stuffy nose, dry cough and sore throat.
Some children develop a very high fever or complications of flu, such as bronchitis or pneumonia and may need hospital treatment.
School children from reception class through to Year 4 will get their vaccinations through their school.
Health and social care staff, employed by a registered residential care/nursing home or registered domiciliary care provider are also entitled to a free flu vaccination and should contact their local pharmacy or GP if they are not already protected.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, the council’s lead member for public health and wellbeing, said: “Flu can be a very nasty illness and we want to protect our communities as much as we can, particularly our more vulnerable residents. It’s really important that we take steps now to avoid the spread of flu over the winter months.
“There’s still time to protect yourself and we are advising everybody who is eligible for the flu vaccine to go to their local pharmacist or GP and get it done. “
If you are eligible for the flu vaccine get it now – it’s free because you need it. Contact your local pharmacist, GP or midwife to the get the flu jab. Visit nhs.uk/staywell for more information.
Pictured: Paula Worthington – Interim assistant director of early help, Lorraine Goude – Interim operational director of adult services, Steve Peddie – executive director of families and wellbeing getting his jab and Muna Abdel Aziz – director of public health
