Flu Vaccines
ANNUAL SEASONAL FLU VACCINE
If you are aged 65 years or older or if you have a long standing medical condition such as Asthma, Diabetes, Heart, Liver, Kidney, Lung or Nervous System Diseases, have had a stroke or if you are on medications that suppress your immune system then you should have a flu vaccine to protect you from the annual seasonal influenza this year. Please book an appointment for your vaccination.
SWINE FLU VACCINE
This is a very similar vaccine to the regular annual seasonal flu vaccination but only protects from the new variety of swine flu that has been much publicised lately. Check this page regularly for updates on the planning for our patients at Gleadless Medical Centre.
Who will get the SWINE FLU vaccination first?
The vaccine is being offered first to people who are most likely to become seriously ill if they catch swine flu. These people are in the following priority groups:
- Adults and children over six months of age who have a long-term health condition, including:
- Chronic lung disease
- Chronic heart disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic neurological diseases
- Diabetes mellitus
- Immunosuppression caused by a disease or treatment for a disease. For example, this may include people who do not have a spleen, and people who are on immunosuppressant treatment or are taking high doses of steroid tablets or injections.
AT THIS PHASE OF THE VACCINATION CAMPAIGN HEALTHY PEOPLE AGED 65 YEARS AND OVER ARE NOT BEING OFFERED ROUTINE VACCINATION.
- Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy. Being pregnant can put you more at risk of being seriously ill if you catch swine flu. So far, evidence suggests that pregnant women are four times more likely to develop serious complications from swine flu and up to five times more likely to need to go to hospital. The risks of flu are highest at the later stages of pregnancy.
- People who live in the same house as someone whose immune system is compromised by disease or treatment. If you live with someone who is having treatment for cancer, for example, and you catch swine flu, they might catch it from you and become very ill. If you have a severely compromised immune system, ask the people you live with to think about getting vaccinated to help protect you against catching swine flu. If you are unsure about whether you should be vaccinated, speak to your GP or practice nurse.
- The vaccine is also being offered to health and social care staff who may be in close contact with people in the above groups.
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