We are holding a 'Drop in' Clinic for flu jabs on Saturday 25 October 2008 between 9am and 4pm.

You do not need to book an appointment.

You are entitled to a free flu jab if you are 65 years old or over; if you live in a residential/nursing home; if you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person, or if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

• Chronic Respiratory Disease (including Asthma)
• Chronic heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Chronic renal disease
• Cardiovascular disease (ie Stroke)
• Diabetes
• Suppressed immune system (due to medical conditions such as cancer, or medication such as steroids)

You will also be offered a pneumococcal jab if you have not already had one.

The 'Drop in' clinic date may need to be changed if our vaccine delivery is delayed, but to date no delay has been reported.

Please note that the Dr or Nurse giving you your jab, will be unable to deal with any other medical concerns, and will not be able to issue prescriptions. You must either make an appointment for a Dr consultation Mon-Fri in the normal way, or put your prescription request in writing and put it in the red box in the waiting room or hand it to the Receptionist.

DO NOT PUT YOURSELF AT RISK BY MISSING OUT ON YOUR FLU JAB!

However, if you have decided that you do not wish to have this vaccination, please let us know so that we can update your medical records.

If you have a serious allergy to hens' eggs or if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to the flu vaccine, you should not have the flu jab. If in doubt, ask the Doctor or Nurse.

If you are 'known' to be housebound, please ring the surgery to be added to our list for house calls.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Influenza is responsible for many deaths and much disability each year. We have an active programme of annual influenza vaccination and the Doctors strongly recommend vaccination for those most at risk.

You may require influenza vaccination if you:

• are 65 or over
• are diabetic
• are taking certain medicines
• have a long standing disease
• have chest or heart trouble
• have kidney disease
• have low immunity

Who should have a flu jab?

It is now more important than ever to get yourself vaccinated if you come into one of the groups listed below. If you’re not sure you can always ask advice from reception.

You can have a free flu jab if:

• you are 65 years old or over
• you live in a residential home or nursing home
• you suffer from a chronic heart or chest complaint, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• you suffer from a chronic kidney disease
• you have diabetes
• you have lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
• you suffer from chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis
• you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill

Does everyone need a flu jab?

Young healthy people do not need to be vaccinated. For most people flu is uncomfortable but not serious.

I had a flu jab last year, do I need it again?

Yes, the viruses which cause flu change every year, which means that the flu this winter will be different from last winter’s and the vaccine will be different as well.

I had a flu jab last year and still got flu!

No vaccine is 100% effective, but it probably was not flu that you caught. Flu jabs will not stop you catching the many other viruses that appear every winter. Because flu is generally much more serious, it makes sense to have a flu jab. The flu jab will last for about one year.

Pneumococcal Vaccine

As last year, an extra immunisation for over 65's and at risk patients will be part of the programme. As well as the ‘flu injection you will be offered a pneumococcal vaccine if you have not already had one. This protects you against serious diseases, which can be caused by the pneumococcus bacterium.

These include:

• pneumonia,
• septicaemia,
• meningitis,
• pericarditis,
• peritonitis.

Pneumococcal pneumonia occurs in 1 in every 1000 people. Those most at risk are:

• People over 65
• People with Diabetes
• Those with chronic heart, lung, liver or kidney disease
• Anyone with immune deficiency (due to disease or medical treatment)
• Anyone who has their spleen removed or severe disorder of the spleen

Side Effects

Side effects can occur but usually only last a few days – mild soreness or redness at the injection site and, in a few people, low-grade fever and muscle pain.

The pneumococcal vaccine is usually only given once in a person’s lifetime. If you think you have already had it – PLEASE LET US KNOW – DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER ONE!

For more information, please visit

http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/13/83/05/04138305.pdf

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