The annual flu vaccination campaign will be launched in Guildford and Waverley in early October. Residents who are at risk from flu are being urged to visit their local GP’s surgery to arrange a free flu jab.

The vaccination takes two minutes and is safe, painless, effective, and free for:

• All those aged 65 and over
• All those aged over 6 months in a clinical risk group, including: chronic heart conditions, chronic respiratory conditions (including asthma), chronic kidney disease, diabetes or lowered immunity due to HIV, steroid drugs or cancer treatment
• Those living in long-stay residential care homes

Influenza or ‘flu’ is a highly infectious acute viral infection, which affects people of all ages, mainly during the winter months. It typically starts suddenly with fever, chills, headache, aching muscles and a cough.

Whilst most people recover without complications in 1-2 weeks, flu can cause serious illness hospitalisation and death, especially in the very young and the elderly. Flu epidemics result in widespread illness and disruption to health and other services.

Dr Ruth Milton, Director of Health Improvement and Public Health says, “After a series of mild winters, it is easy to be complacent about the threat of flu – few people realise that between 3,000-4,000 deaths are caused by the complications of flu each year.

“We are urging all those at risk to get a flu jab – every year. The influenza virus is always changing, so last year’s vaccine won’t protect you”.

Commonly asked questions include:

• Does the ‘flu vaccine work?
  Immunisation is one of the most effective healthcare interventions and ‘flu vaccines are highly effective in preventing illness and reducing hospital admissions and death from flu.
• Are there any side effects from the vaccine?
  It is usually well tolerated. There may be temporary soreness at the site of injection. Rarely it causes fever and muscle aches.
• Can the vaccine cause flu?
  No. The vaccine contains no live virus and cannot therefore cause ‘flu.
• Is there anyone who should not be given a ‘flu vaccine?
  As the vaccine viruses are grown on eggs, people with severe allergy to hens eggs should not be given the vaccine.

To find out more talk to your GP or pharmacist, call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

For more information, please contact Dr Ruth Milton, or Liz Funning, Head of the Health Promotion Service, at The Jarvis Centre, Stoughton Road, Guildford on 01483 532828