The flu does not miss out a year NOW is the right time to get vaccinated
Flu or Influenza is an infectious disease caused by viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses). It can be easily spread through the air by coughs and sneezes (droplet infection) from person to person or by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces.
We recommend getting your flu vaccine in the month of October and November (NOW) in order to afford you the best chance of protecting against infection. The vaccine takes around ten days to work and will protect you against three strains of seasonal flu, including swine flu, for around a year.
The flu vaccine is seasonal, which means every year a new batch is made. Scientists consider what strains of the virus are going to be a threat that flu season and develop the vaccine accordingly.
You have to get vaccinated annually, because the virus continually changes and develops new strains.
This means that last year’s flu vaccine will not protect you from this year’s flu virus.
Common flu symptoms
The list of the most common flu symptoms includes:
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle pains
- Weakness/fatigue
- Severe headaches
- Sometimes a dry cough and sore throat
Flu risk groups (Flu vaccine priority groups)
For certain groups of people the risks of getting complications from flu are higher:
- Pregnant women
- Children
- The elderly
- People with other serious medical conditions (not sure if you are at higher risk?, please contact us to speak to our doctor)
According to Medical News Today, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is advising that this winter all individuals suffering from heart disease throughout the UK should get the flu injection. In the UK there are 2.7 million individuals living with heart disease, and those with the disease who get an infection like the flu have a fourfold higher risk of suffering a heart attack.
Avoid spreading flu germs
- Always carrying tissues, using a tissue when coughing and sneezing
- Bin tissues after one use
- Wash your hands repeatedly
- Clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs
*If you just come in for your flu vaccination, no additional charges will apply!
