Get your free flu jab

NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (NHS HMR) is reminding residents who are most at risk of developing serious complications from flu to take preventive action and get their free flu jab.

Patients now have more choice on where to obtain their flu vaccination.

They can go to their GP surgery as in previous years but they can also obtain them from the following pharmacies:

Asda Pharmacy, Asda Superstore, Rochdale
Cohens Chemist, Drake Street, Rochdale
Lloyds Pharmacy, Yorkshire Street (Town Centre), Rochdale
Oldham Road Pharmacy, Oldham Road, Rochdale
Tesco Pharmacy, Ardnale Centre, Middleton
Rowlands Pharmacy, Lakeland Court, Wood Street, Middleton

People aged 65 or over are advised have the free flu jab.

Adults under 65 and children should have a flu jab if they have:

Serious heart or chest complaints including asthma
Serious kidney or liver disease
Diabetes
Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment
Have had a stroke/ transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

Their GP may also advise them to have the flu jab if they have:

Multiple Sclerosis
Degenerative conditions of the central nervous system

Dr Sheila Will, Director of Public Health at NHS HMR said: “There are very few reasons not to get your free flu vaccination if you qualify, the vaccine does not contain any live virus, so it cannot cause flu and those who were vaccinated last year should remember that the vaccine only protects them for 12 months, so they will need a new jab this winter to make sure they are protected against new strains of the virus.”

Flu is not just a cold. It gives you fevers, chills, extreme fatigue and aching muscles, in addition you can get the usual cold-like symptoms of sore throats and runny noses, and overall it tends to last for two weeks

Help avoid spreading germs to others, and picking them up yourself, by always carrying tissues, covering your cough and sneeze with a tissue, disposing of the tissue after one use and cleaning your hands as soon as you can.

Most of those who catch flu will get better own their own without seeking medical help and medicines to relieve aches, pains, fever and blocked noses are available from your local pharmacy.