Flu and Pneumococcal Vaccinations

Influenza (flu) vaccination

Unlike the common cold, the flu is potentially life-threatening - an estimated 3-4,000 deaths each year are due to flu. Anyone can get flu but it can be more serious for people over 65 years of age and those with serious medical conditions.

To protect yourself from flu this winter, free flu jabs are available to the following at-risk groups:

• Aged 65 and over
• Any one over 6 months of age with a serious medical condition of heart, kidney, liver or respiratory system. Other serious illnesses are diabetes or lowered immunity due to disease or treatment and neurological conditions such as stroke
• Resident in a long-stay residential or nursing home
• Carers for an elderly person or anyone deemed to be at risk
• Pregnant women

Even if you had the vaccine last year, you will need one again this year to ensure you are fully protected.

The vaccination only takes 2 minutes of your time and is safe, painless and effective against the potential flu virus.

For further information and booking your free flu jab, please contact your local GP or practice nurse today.

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Pneumococcal vaccinations

Pneumococcal disease can cause serious complications and even be life threatening to those with other underlying health problems. The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is recommended for vulnerable groups at risk of developing complications.

It is important that those identified in the risk groups should get this vaccine. It is given in the UK to at risk groups similar to the flu programme:

• All those aged 65 or over
• All those aged over 2 years with a serious medical condition of heart, kidney, liver or respiratory system. Other serious illnesses are diabetes or lowered immunity due to disease or treatment and neurological conditions such as stroke
• Children under 5 with previous history of pneumococcal disease

Generally patients only require a single dose of the vaccine and it can be given at any time. It is often administered alongside the seasonal influenza vaccine to those who have not previously received it. It can be given alongside any other vaccine as needed.

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