Get your flu jab
Somerset’s Director of Public Health is reminding parents and people in ‘at risk’ groups that to maintain good health this winter it is not too late to get their free flu vaccine. For most people flu is just a nasty experience, but for some it can be an awful lot more serious. In extremis flu can lead to bronchitis and secondary bacterial pneumonia, which can be life threatening.
Somerset’s Director of Public Health believe that only a fraction of those who should have had the flu jab have been immunised. NHS recommendations say the following people should have the jab:
- everyone aged 65 and over
- all pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy
- all two, three, and four, year old children
- all children in school years 1 and 2
- all primary school-aged children in some parts of the country
- everyone living in a residential or nursing home
- everyone who cares for an older or disabled person
- household contacts of anyone who is ‘immuno-compromised’
- all frontline health and social care staff
Anyone in these groups who hasn’t yet had the vaccine should contact their GP, pharmacist or midwife now as they are at much greater risk of becoming seriously unwell if they catch flu, and sadly many end up in hospital.
Meanwhile do remember that a few simple steps can help you towards good winter health. Being considerate of those around you and maintaining good cough and hand hygiene will help to prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of transmission for flu.
This includes remembering to cover your own nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze and disposing of the tissue and washing your hands with hot water and soap every time you sneeze – as soon as you can.