Winter Vaccinations

It seems to have come around so quickly, but it is that time of year again when we need to start thinking about the winter flu jab.

It is important to have ourselves vaccinated as we are more susceptible to catching the flu and to its repercussions.

It is also important for people who care for us to consider the jab too.  This protects us and them from possible infection. The flu vaccine is available free on the NHS for:

• Anyone who is over the age   of 65
• Pregnant women
• Anyone who is overweight (with a body mass index over 40)
• Children and adults with and underlying health condition (particularly long term heart or lung disease) Children and adults with weakened immune systems
• An annual flu vaccine nasal spray is also now offered to healthy children aged two, three and four years old, and to children in school years one and two.

The best time of year to have the vaccine is in the autumn, between September and early November.  There is no actual deadline but, where possible, you should be vaccinated before flu starts circulating in the community.

Serious side effects of the flu vaccine are very rare.  You may have a slight temperature and aching muscles for a few days after having the jab, and your arm may be a bit sore where you were injected.  The pneumococcal vaccine A  pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. However, some people need the pneumococcal vaccination (pneumo jab) because they are at higher risk of complications. These include:

• All children under the age of two
• Adults aged 65 or over
• Children and adults with  certain long-term health conditions, such as a serious 
   heart or kidney condition
• This vaccine is not given annually, like the flu jab
• People with a long-term health condition may need just a single one-off pneumococcal vaccination or five-yearly vaccination depending on their underlying health problem

Some flu facts:

• The flu jab can’t give you flu
• The flu jab is perfectly safe
• The flu virus changes, so you need a flu jab every year
• If you are pregnant, the flu jab doesn’t harm your unborn baby. In fact it can protect your baby from flu for the first few months of life
• The flu jab also protects against swine flu
• Washing and drying your hands properly can play an important part in preventing the spread of infection. Disposing of used tissues properly can also help prevent it spreading.