It’s not too late for your flu jab

PEOPLE most at risk of developing serious complications from seasonal flu have been urged to get a free jab.

Oldham’s annual seasonal flu immunisation campaign launched in September and so far 56 per cent of over 65s have had their jab. This puts NHS Oldham well on course to meet the national target of 70 per cent.

Alan Higgins, director of public health for Oldham, said: “With swine flu still affecting large numbers of people, it’s particularly important for people who are in at risk groups or over 65 to have their seasonal flu jab. GPs will be contacting at-risk patients to invite them for a swine flu vaccination.

“It’s also vital that frontline staff have their jab — to safeguard the health of their patients and colleagues and themselves.

“We want to make sure that as many people as possible are protected from what can be a potentially life-threatening illness and will generally require weeks of recovery time.

“It’s important to remember that the seasonal flu vaccine is safe and does not contain any live virus, so it cannot cause flu.

“Those who got a seasonal flu jab last year will need to get a new jab this winter, as the virus changes every year and the vaccine needs to match the latest version of the virus.”

The key messages from this year’s NHS national seasonal flu campaign are:

::Don’t underestimate the flu — ask your GP for a vaccination now. You may have heard a lot about swine flu, but it’s important to remember that seasonal flu can be serious too.

::If you are 65 or over or have a chronic illness (for example, diabetes, heart disease or any other long-term condition), you are more at risk of serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia if you catch seasonal flu.’

NHS Oldham’s efforts to help raise awareness about seasonal flu and why the jab is so important have included placing brightly coloured adverts on buses around Oldham and radio adverts.

Distinctive green NHS posters and leaflets have also been sent to GP practices and across Oldham.

Practical tips to help avoid spreading germs to others and to help avoid infection yourself include 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.

Talk to your local GP, nurse or pharmacist to find out more or visit the NHS Choices website at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/Flu-jab/Pages/Introduction.aspx