Flu Vaccines and Information

Please check back later in the year for updated flu vaccination guidance.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Click here for information about who should have the vaccine this winter and why

Click here for information regarding the vaccine and porcine gelatine

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Flu (influenza) is a common infectious viral illness spread by coughs and sneezes. It can be very unpleasant, but you’ll usually begin to feel better within about a week. … Flu is caused by a different group of viruses and the symptoms tend to start more suddenly, be more severe and last longer.

Attending the surgery for a flu vaccine:

Under the new infection control guidelines; in order to protect both patients and staff, we would like to ask for the following to be adhered to:

• Please wear a face covering when coming in for your flu jab
• Please wash your hands or use an antibacterial gel before entering the premises
• Only two people per household can attend at one time
• The entry to the clinic will be via the side door by the doctors’ car park; there will be staff and signs to guide you
• There will be floor stickers to help you keep the recommended social distance
• If possible, please wear a short-sleeved top under your coat for easy and quick access to your arm

After your vaccination:

The injected flu vaccine cannot cause flu because there are no active viruses in the vaccine. The majority of patients do not have any symptoms after the vaccine but the most common side effects are:

• Pain, swelling, bruising, hardness or redness at the injection site
• Slightly raised temperature (fever)
• Headache; sweating
• Aching joints or muscles
• Shivering; tiredness
• Feeling generally unwell

Tips to ease the discomfort:

• Continue to move your arm regularly; do not let it get stiff
• Apply a cool flannel to the arm if inflamed
• Take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (some people, including pregnant women, should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it)
• If you there is any reason you need to have a blood test within 48 hours of vaccination, please inform the phlebotomist you have recently a flu jab

Who should get the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is routinely given on the NHS to:

• all children aged 2 to 15 (but not 16 years or older) on 31 August 2021 (GP surgeries vaccinate children 2 and 3 years old and those in clinical at risk group)
• those aged 6 months to under 50 years in clinical risk groups
• pregnant women
• those aged 50 years and over
• those in long-stay residential care homes
• carers
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• frontline health and social care staff employed by:
  • a registered residential care or nursing home
  • registered domiciliary care provider
  • a voluntary managed hospice provider
  • Direct Payment (personal budgets) and/or Personal Health Budgets, such as Personal Assistants

Anyone in these risk groups is more likely to develop potentially serious complications of flu, such as pneumonia (a lung infection), so it’s recommended that they have a flu vaccine every year to help protect them.