Public urged to protect themselves against seasonal flu
Winter is coming and Plymouth’s Public Health team is urging people to protect themselves and get vaccinated against seasonal flu.
The flu jab is available on the NHS for the following groups:
- pregnant women
- people with a serious underlying health problem
- all adults aged 65 years or older
- people living in a long-stay residential or nursing homes
- two and three year old children
A new annual nasal spray flu vaccine is now being offered to all two and three year olds.
Kevin Elliston, acting Director of Public Health, said: “The vaccine is given as a nasal spray squirted up each nostril. The nasal spray works better than the injected flu vaccine in children. It’s quick and painless and will mean your child is less likely to become ill if they come into contact with the flu virus.
"In the UK, vaccinations are easily available through GPs and I would urge people to get vaccinated and ensure that their children are up to date with all childhood vaccinations. Health and social care workers are also being encouraged to take up the vaccine in order to protect their patients and clients, themselves and their colleagues from flu.”
Flu injections will continue to be offered to over-65s, pregnant women and adults with long-term medical conditions.
Flu is an infectious viral illness normally spread in small droplets of fluid spread by coughs and sneezes. It is more commonly spread in the autumn and winter months, which is why it is referred to as seasonal flu. Symptoms are typically a sudden high temperature, headache, aches and pains, tiredness and a sore throat. Feeling sick, tiredness and loss of appetite are also common. Most people feel much better after a week from the onset of symptoms.
Cabinet member for Public Health and Adult Social Care, Councillor Sue McDonald said: “Flu is preventable and although most people recover fairly quickly it can cause complications for people in those higher risk groups. GP surgeries will be contacting people eligible for free vaccinations over the next few weeks.”
Dr Steve Harris, Vice Chair of the Western Locality, NEW Devon CCG said: “Influenza can be a serious illness and outbreaks are responsible for significant time off from work. Healthcare professionals are being encouraged to have the vaccination both to protect themselves and the vulnerable patients they will be coming into contact with. It is important that our clinical community stays well this winter so that we can deal with pressures of winter.”
It is important to have a flu jab each year to maintain the effectiveness of the vaccination. Flu strains often change so new vaccines are produced which is why people need to renew the jab every year.
