Don’t put off the flu vaccination – it’s free because you need it

Flu vaccination is part of the Stay Well This Winter campaign, a joint initiative from NHS England and Public Health England, to help the public ward off common winter illnesses and vaccinations and is now available in GP practices across Kirklees.

Flu is a highly infectious disease and can lead to serious complications if you have a long-term health condition like COPD; bronchitis, emphysema; diabetes; heart, kidney or liver disease or have suffered a stroke. Flu, on top of health conditions like these, can easily develop into something very serious and could land you in hospital. People with these and other long-term health conditions are eligible for a free flu jab through their GP or pharmacist.

Dr Steve Ollerton local GP and Clinical Leader of NHS Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said:

“The free flu vaccination is particularly important for those who are at increased risk from the effects of flu.”

Pregnant women and young children are also eligible for the free flu vaccine. For young children, the flu vaccine is not an injection, just a quick nasal spray. Please ask your surgery for details.

Pregnancy naturally weakens the body’s immune system and, as flu can cause serious complications for you and your baby, pregnant women who get the flu may be less able to fight off infections, increasing the risk of becoming ill. The flu jab is the safest way to protect you and your baby against flu and you can have it at any stage of pregnancy, however fit and healthy you might feel.

Dr David Kelly, local GP and Chair of NHS North Kirklees CCG, said:

“If you are eligible for the flu vaccine get it now – it’s free because you need it. Contact your GP, pharmacist or midwife to the get the flu jab.”

Visit https://www.nhs.uk/staywell for more information.