Advice to the vulnerable: Don’t miss out on your flu jab

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The Health Protection Agency North West is warning that in addition to increasing the risk of injury from slips and falls, the current cold spell can trigger an increase in respiratory illnesses such as coughs, colds, asthma and bronchitis.

The cold spell also makes people more susceptible to flu.

Professor Qutub Syed, Director, HPA North West, said: “Our advice is that anyone who is entitled to a flu jab on the NHS should have one for their own protection. Flu can be a serious illness and the vaccine offers good protection against it.

“This year’s vaccine protects against three strains of flu that are circulating this winter, including swine flu. It is a safe vaccine and contrary to popular belief it cannot make you ill or give you a mild dose of flu because it doesn’t contain live virus.”

People eligible for a flu jab include:

• Pregnant women
• People aged 65 or over
• People who live in residential care homes
• Carers of people who are elderly or infirm 
• Healthcare workers
• People with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, kidney disease, chronic asthma and diabetes that requires medication
• People with lowered immunity to infection as a result of illness or treatment, such as people with HIV infection or those on steroid treatment or cancer drugs