Seasonal flu
Flu - patients asked to ‘Care about the cost…’ to their health
Flu does kill and the vaccination does give protection against it.
That’s the message from local GPs who are urging patients at risk of developing serious complications from flu, to get protected.
Complications of flu mostly affect people in high risk groups such as pregnant women, people aged 65 and over and those living with a long term medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease or a bad chest. Carers, and those living in nursing or residential homes are also being offered the jab.
Although the majority of normally healthy people will recover from flu within a few days, patients in high risk groups are more likely to have a bad case of flu and develop a serious complication such as a chest infection, bronchitis or pneumonia. Flu is more likely to put people in high risk groups in danger.
This year, Bury's seasonal flu public information campaign is being linked to NHS Bury's successful Care about the cost campaign. Patients are being urged to ‘care about the cost to their health’ and to do all they can to prevent catching flu by protecting themselves with the vaccination.
Dr. Peter Elton, Director of Public Health for NHS Bury said: “Local GP practices have been gearing up to vaccinate their high risk patients to protect them from flu. The vaccine is safe, saves lives and offers protection for a whole year.”
“For the majority of normally healthy adults flu is unpleasant and inconvenient, but they will begin to feel better usually within a week. Some people, however, are more likely to have a bad case of flu and develop serious complications such as a chest infection. In a small number of cases, flu can cause patients to become critically ill and even die from the infection.”
Dr. Kiran Patel, Clinical Lead for Bury’s shadow Clinical Commissioning Group added: “If you are eligible for the flu jab, get protected now. It’s free and can save your life. Don’t delay, as the sooner you have the vaccine the sooner you are protected. Contact your GP practice and make an appointment. This advice is particularly important for pregnant women, who can be hit quite hard by the flu virus.”
The flu jab will be available free of charge on the NHS to eligible groups from October. Eligible patients should contact their GP practice to make an appointment to get the jab.
Seasonal flu vaccination information leaflet
Pregnancy and flu information leaflet
