Flu – protect yourself and others. Ask your GP about the vaccine today.

The vaccine is available FREE to the following people:

• All pregnant women
• Anyone aged 65 years or over
• Any one with a long term health problem
• People receiving a carer’s allowance or are the main carer for someone
• People living in a long-stay residential home.

This includes people who have:

• Diabetes
• A chest problem or breathing difficulties (such as asthma, bronchitis or emphysema)
• A heart problem
• Kidney or liver disease
• A neurological condition (such as Parkinson’s or motor neurone disease)
• A low immune system due to disease or treatment
• Had a stroke
• A problem with the spleen or the spleen has been removed.

Children

Children who have one of the conditions listed above should also have the vaccination.

The symptoms of flu are similar to those of the common cold. 

A couple of common differences are:

• Symptoms of a cold appear gradually are not severe and affect just your nose and throat.

• Symptoms of flu are much more severe, causing fever, chills headaches and aching muscles. You will not feel like getting out of bed or doing any of your daily activities.

If you are in one of the ‘at risk’ groups listed before, you should contact your GP. You may need some extra help in fighting the virus.

If you are normally fit and well you should get better within two or three days. You should rest as much as you can and take paracetamol or paracetamol based cold remedies as these will help lower your temperature. Drinking plenty of fluids will also help. More information can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Flu/