Dr Richard Davies, Chair and Clinical Lead, NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove Clinical Commissioning Group writes for the Redditch Standard
THE best time to have the flu vaccine is in the autumn, between September and early November.
Flu can be very unpleasant, typical symptoms include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles. You can often get a cough and sore throat. If you’re in general good health there’s normally no need to see your GP. The best way to recover is to have plenty of rest at home, keep warm and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower a high temperature and relieve aches if necessary; flu symptoms usually clear within a week.
For others flu can be a serious illness, even life-threatening. ‘At-risk’ groups include:
* People with a serious medical condition, such as a heart complaint, lung disease such as asthma, liver disease or have suffered a stroke
* Pregnant women
* Young children.
If you’re in any of the at-risk groups, the flu jab is completely free and is a safe way of protecting you and your family in a matter of minutes. This year the needle-free nasal vaccination is also available as an alternative way for parents to have at risk children vaccinated in a quick, easy and pain-free way.
Simply contact your GP to arrange a convenient appointment to get your vaccination.
The flu vaccine changes every year to fight the latest strains of flu so even if you had a jab last winter you need another one this year to stay flu safe.
The flu vaccination is part of the wider NHS Stay Well This Winter campaign which has launched this week. The campaign aims to promote health and wellbeing over the winter months. Visit http://www.nhs.uk/staywell/ to find out how you can stay well this winter.
For more information, speak to your GP or local pharmacist, or visit www.nhs.uk/flu
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