Green Street Clinic is supporting the NHS Flu campaign.
Flu is a highly infectious disease with symptoms that come on very suddenly. Healthy individuals usually recover in two to seven days but for some, the disease can lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability or even death.
Those considered most at risk and in need of the vaccine include pregnant women who can suffer from serious complications such as pneumonia, miscarriage or having a baby too soon as a result of flu. People who have a long-term health condition, even one that is well managed, are also at increased risk of complications as a result of flu.
Flu
- Flu is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract (nose, mouth, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs). It is a highly infectious illness which spreads rapidly in closed communities and even people with mild or no symptoms can infect others
- Flu is caught through droplets of saliva that spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can then be breathed in by other people or they can be picked up by touching surfaces where the droplets have landed
- Flu is characterised by a fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain and fatigue. For most healthy people, flu symptoms can make you feel so exhausted and unwell that you have to stay in bed and rest until you get better
- Flu immunisation is one of the most effective ways to prevent flu and so reduce the potential harm it can cause
- The most likely viruses that will cause flu each year are identified in advance of the flu season in the UK and vaccines are then made to provide protection against these strains as closely as possible
- Those who are eligible to receive the flu vaccination for free, are recommended to do so as early as possible from October, before flu starts circulating in the community
Vaccination
- A nasal spray is the recommended vaccine for children. The vaccine induces better immune memory, offering better long-term protection to children
- The nasal spray vaccine is given as a spray in each nostril
Primary Messages | - Don’t put off getting the flu vaccination; if you’re eligible get it now. It’s free because you need it
- If you have a long-term health condition, even one that is well managed, or you are pregnant, you are at greater risk of severe complications if you catch flu
- The nasal spray vaccination is a quick, painless and effective way for children aged 2-4 to be protected from flu without the need for injections
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Secondary Messages | - The flu vaccination is particularly important for those who are at increased risk of flu
- It is vital that those who are eligible have the flu vaccine every year as the vaccine protects against different strains of flu which evolve each year
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Key messages around the flu vaccination | • The flu vaccination is one of the most effective ways to reduce harm from flu • The flu vaccine reduces risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and even death among those who are most at risk |
Key messages for those with long term health conditions | • If you have a long-term health condition, even one that is well managed, you are eligible for the flu vaccination free of charge. It’s free because you need it • Flu can make the effects of your existing condition worse and makes complications like pneumonia more likely
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Key messages for pregnant women | • If you are pregnant, you are eligible for the flu vaccination free of charge. It’s free because you need it • The flu vaccine reduces the risk of complications and potential harmful consequences for both you and your baby if you catch the flu e.g. premature birth • Pregnancy naturally weakens the body’s immune system and as a result you may be less able to fight off infections, increasing the risk of becoming seriously ill as a result of flu • The flu vaccine is safe during any stage of pregnancy, it does not carry any risks for you or your baby
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Key messages for parents of children aged two to four | · If you have children aged two, three or four, don’t put off taking them for their free flu vaccination · The nasal spray vaccination is quick, effective and painless and available to children aged 2-4 years · It’s important to protect your little ones from flu and the vaccination is available free on the NHS · Flu can be a very unpleasant illness in children as they suffer the same symptoms as adults including fever, chills and aching muscles · The flu vaccination will help protect your child from flu and also reduce the chance of flu spreading to others |