THE NHS has begun sending invitations to eligible groups who are first in line for annual flu vaccinations.
Children and pregnant women are among those being encouraged to get their flu jabs as the NHS makes its preparations for winter.
These groups are forming the focus of the first phase of vaccinations, with older people, care home residents, frontline workers, and clinically-at-risk adults due to follow in October.
Parents of school-aged children will be contacted by immunisation services to complete the necessary consent form, with vaccines available through the school or via a community clinic.
Children are offered the nasal vaccine, which is most effective for that age group as well as being more easily and conveniently administered compared to injections.
If this is not suitable, however, GPs and practise nurses can discuss alternative methods.
Pregnant women can receive their vaccinations at any point in their pregnancy through their GP or at hospital maternity appointments.
Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways of protecting yourself and those around you from flu, which, while common, can be debilitating.
Flue symptoms include sudden high temperature, tiredness and weakness, headache or general aches and pains, a dry chesty cough, sore throat, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, diarrhoea or stomach pain, and feeling or being sick.
Rachael Corser Chief Nursing Officer for Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board who organise our health services locally, said: “The flu vaccine is our best defence against winter viruses, and it also helps alleviate the increased pressure on hospitals during the winter season.
“We know that the flu virus hospitalises thousands of people each year, therefore vaccinations are crucial in keeping more people healthy.
“I would urge everyone eligible to book their flu jabs as soon as they become available to protect themselves and those around them.”
Vaccinations are open to pregnant women, all children aged 2 or 3 years on August 31 this year, primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6), secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11), and all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years.
From October 3, eligibility will be extended to those aged 65 years and over, those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book), those in long-stay residential care homes, carers in receipt of carer’s allowance or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person, and close contacts of immunocompromised individuals.
More information about flue and vaccinations is available via: nhs.uk/conditions/flu/
