You need a ‘flu jab’ if you:

• Are aged 65 years and over
• Live in long-term residential or nursing homes
• Have chronic heart or chest complaints including asthma
• Have chronic kidney or liver disease
• Have a chronic neurological condition
• Have diabetes
• Have lowered immunity due to disease or treatment, for example, steroid medication or cancer treatment.
• Are Pregnant

Health workers and carers are also offered the ‘flu jab’.

The ‘flu jab’ is offered to those considered to be more at risk should they get flu. 

Now, do you want to know more about the flu, then read on ………

Influenza, or flu as it is more commonly known, is an infection caused by an influenza virus and is a respiratory illness that affects the lungs and airways.

Symptoms of flu can come on suddenly and they include :-

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Cough
• Body aches
• Fatigue

An infected person can spread the virus by coughing and sneezing.  Direct contact with hands contaminated with the virus can also spread the infection.

Influenza is often called ‘seasonal flu’ because in the UK it circulates during the winter months each year.  The virus can change slightly from the previous year so some people who come into contact with the new virus may no longer be fully immune.  You need to have a ‘flu jab’ every year to ensure the best protection against the latest strain of the virus.

A ‘flu jab’ (vaccine) is developed each year and is offered to everyone of 65 years of age and over and also to people in certain ‘at risk’ groups (as stated above) who are more likely to develop complications as a result of having flu.  No medical procedure is totally free from risk but the ‘flu jab’ is generally very safe.  A common reaction is a sore arm or feeling hot for a day or two after the jab.  The jab cannot give you flu because it does not contain any active viruses.

Who can get the flu?
Answer = anyone

The flu virus is easily passed from person to person.  Most people recover from the flu but complications can occur, particularly in the elderly and in people with certain medical conditions which can result in serious illness and may be life-threatening.

If you fall into one of the groups mentioned above help to control flu by having a ‘flu jab’.

Haygarth Doctors are running flu vaccination clinics on the following dates :-

Book your appointment now!

Ask at Reception or telephone :-

Hay Medical Centre              :         01497 822100

Talgarth Medical Centre       :         01874 713000

Note we have a Saturday morning clinic this year