THE NHS are reminding Redditch residents to get their flu jab before the winter hits, especially for those with neurological condition.
NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is advising patience to get there injections as catching the flu can have serious effect on health if someone suffers with Parkinson’s or motor neuron disease.
Those who have been diagnosed with any of the following condition qualify for the flu vaccination:
· stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA);
· cerebal palsy;
· learning disabilities;
· multiple sclerosis;
· hereditary and degenerative disease of the nervous system or muscles; or
· severe neurological disability.
Dr Richard Davies, Chair and Clinical Lead for the CCG said: “Some neurological diseases can affect your lungs, making it difficult to breath. If you catch flu, it can make breathing even harder and it could develop into a serious condition, such as pneumonia. It could mean spending time in hospital and taking a long time to recover from the effects of the treatment and the virus.
“Many people think having flu is like having a bad cold, but in reality flu is a nasty respiratory virus which can make you feel very unwell. Flu can cause you to develop a high temperature, so if you have a neurological condition it can make it difficult to regulate your body temperature making symptoms worse. It can even become life threatening.”
For more information visit www.nhs.uk/staywell
