Flu is not just a heavy cold. Flu occurs every year, usually in the winter, which is why it’s
sometimes called seasonal flu. It’s a highly infectious disease with symptoms that come on
very quickly. Colds are much less serious and usually start gradually with a stuffy or runny
nose and a sore throat. A bad bout of flu can be much worse than a heavy cold.
The most common symptoms of flu are fever, chills, headache, aches and pains in the joints
and muscles, and extreme tiredness. Healthy individuals usually recover within 2 to 7 days,
but for some the disease can lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability or even death.
Flu vaccines help protect against the main types of flu virus circulating.
Who can have the Flu vaccine?
They include:
- everyone aged 65 years and over
- everyone under 65 years of age who has a medical condition (listed below), including
children and babies over 6 months of age - all pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy
- all children aged 2 and 3 years (provided they were aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August
before flu vaccinations starts in the autumn) - all children in primary school
- some secondary school-aged children (Years 7 to 11)
- everyone living in a residential or nursing home
- everyone who receives a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or
disabled person - all those living with someone who has lowered immunity due to disease or treatment
- all frontline health and social care workers
It is best to have your flu vaccination in the autumn or early winter before flu rates increase.
Remember that you need it every year, so don’t assume you are protected because you had
one last year.
How you catch flu
When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the flu viruses can be breathed in by other people or they can be picked up by touching surfaces where the viruses have landed. You can prevent the spread of the virus by covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze (ideally with a tissue, or else into the bend of your elbow), and you can wash your hands frequently or use hand gels to reduce the risk of picking up the virus.
But the best way to avoid catching and spreading flu is by having the vaccination before the flu season starts.
How we protect against flu
Flu is unpredictable. Flu vaccination provides the best protection. There are different strains of flu virus. The strains that are most likely to cause illness are identified in advance of the flu season. Vaccines are then made to match them as closely as possible. Even if the vaccine doesn’t perfectly match a strain it usually provides some protection against it.
The vaccines are given in the autumn ideally before flu starts circulating.
The harm flu can do
People sometimes think a bad cold is flu, but having flu can often be much worse than a cold and you may need to stay in bed for a few days. In the worst cases, flu can result in a stay in hospital, or even death.
Some people are more susceptible to the effects of flu. For them, it can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, or can make existing conditions worse. Those at increased risk from the effects of flu Flu can affect anyone but if you have a long-term health condition, the effects of flu can make it worse even if the condition is well managed and you normally feel well. You should have the free flu vaccine if you are pregnant, seriously overweight (BMI of 40 and above) or have a long-term condition, such as:- a heart problem
- a chest complaint or serious breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema
or some people with asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets) - a kidney disease
- lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer
treatment) - liver disease
- had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- diabetes
- some neurological condition, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
- a learning disability
- a problem with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or you have had your spleen removed.
You can book to have your vaccine directly using the link in the message sent to your phone or contact the reception directly to book your appointment