Free flu jabs

Flu vaccines are now available, contact your GP for an appointment as soon as possible

Local health experts are encouraging people to protect themselves from seasonal flu with a free flu jab.

The vaccine is especially important for people at higher risk from flu. This includes:

• Pregnant women
• Those aged over 65
• People with lower immunities, such as those with long term health conditions like asthma

People at risk can have the fl­u vaccine for free from their GP. If you are at risk, or if you are unsure about getting the vaccine, you should contact your GP surgery as soon as possible.
This year, children aged two and three will also be offered a free needle-free flu vaccine through a nasal spray.

Carers and those working in the front line of health and social care are also being urged to protect themselves and those around them against the winter disease.

Dr Chris Duffy, local GP and Chairman of NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “I have the flu vaccination every year to protect my patients, myself and my family. Flu is very serious. It can increase the risk of developing bronchitis and pneumonia, and in the most serious cases, seasonal flu could land you in hospital. It can even be a killer.

“Flu is not like a cold – it can be a really serious illness and it doesn’t just affect older people. If you’re pregnant, aged over 65, have lowered immunity or a long term health condition such as severe asthma, a chest or heart complaint, or diabetes, then you can get a free flu jab from your GP.”

Wendy Meston, Director of Public Health at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The flu vaccine is an essential way to keep vulnerable people well during the winter, including older people, people with chronic ill health, pregnant women and young children.

“The programme is already underway in Rochdale. The flu vaccine changes every year to fight the latest strains of flu, so even if you had a jab last winter, you need another one this year to stay flu safe. It’s very safe and can’t give you flu.”

Flu vaccines are now available, so please contact your GP for an appointment as soon as possible.

For more information, speak to your GP or local pharmacist, or visit www.nhs.uk/flu