Don’t catch flu this winter – get jabbed!
People in Ceredigion are being urged to get jabbed to ensure they are best protected against catching flu this winter.
Hywel Dda Health Board is offering a free flu jab to those people who are at the greatest risk of flu including those aged 65 or over, pregnant women and those with health conditions such as asthma, chest or heart problems, lowered immunity and diabetes.
For the first time, the flu vaccine will be also available from 137 pharmacies in Wales, with selected pharmacists given special training to administer the injections.
Flu is a contagious infection that can kill and anyone that falls into an at-risk group should be vaccinated to ensure they protect themselves and their families.
Those people at risk are:
Hywel Dda Health Board is offering a free flu jab to those people who are at the greatest risk of flu including those aged 65 or over, pregnant women and those with health conditions such as asthma, chest or heart problems, lowered immunity and diabetes.
For the first time, the flu vaccine will be also available from 137 pharmacies in Wales, with selected pharmacists given special training to administer the injections.
Flu is a contagious infection that can kill and anyone that falls into an at-risk group should be vaccinated to ensure they protect themselves and their families.
Those people at risk are:
- over 65 and people in long term care
- people with long term respiratory disease such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis
- people with long term heart, renal or liver disease
- people with neurological disease such as Parkinson’s disease
- people with diabetes
- people who have a weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment)
- health professionals and paid or unpaid carers of people with the above health conditions
- pregnant women
- Members of recognised voluntary organisations who provide planned emergency first aid at public events
In Ceredigion, 61.2% of people aged over 65 had a flu jab and 45.1% of under 65s identified as at risk were immunised last year.
Hywel Dda Health Board is urging more people to get jabbed to ensure they are protected against flu this winter.
Polly Leett, immunisation coordinator for Hywel Dda Health Board, said: “The flu vaccine changes every year so even if you had a jab last year, you will need to get another this year to stay safe.
“It’s a common misconception that you can catch the flu from having a flu jab. Because the vaccine is not live, it will not make you ill. The jab will mean you and your family have the best chances of not getting the flu virus and you stay healthy this winter.”
Hywel Dda Health Board is also encouraging NHS workers and carers to get jabbed this winter to ensure they protect themselves and those around them.
To get your jab, contact your GP to make an appointment or check NHS Direct for a local pharmacy that can give you the vaccine. It’s safe, quick and free for those who are most at risk.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Ruth Hussey said: “Flu spreads easily, and can cause serious illness which would need to be treated in hospital. If you are eligible for the vaccine, talk to your GP surgery, local health clinic or you can talk to NHS Direct Wales.
“For the first time selected community pharmacies will also be providing the vaccine this year. You can find out more about this on the NHS Direct Wales website. Please check with NHS Direct Wales or your pharmacy before travelling to find out if your local pharmacy can provide you with the vaccine.
“Many people think that flu is just a bad cold, but in fact it is much worse and can lead to other severe health complications. People know that the vaccine is available for the over 65s, but many people living with other health conditions aren’t always aware that they can get vaccinated as well. It is really important that people who are in at-risk groups do get vaccinated.”
For more information, contact www.hyweldddahb@wales.nhs.uk and follow @getjabbed on twitter.
Hywel Dda Health Board is urging more people to get jabbed to ensure they are protected against flu this winter.
Polly Leett, immunisation coordinator for Hywel Dda Health Board, said: “The flu vaccine changes every year so even if you had a jab last year, you will need to get another this year to stay safe.
“It’s a common misconception that you can catch the flu from having a flu jab. Because the vaccine is not live, it will not make you ill. The jab will mean you and your family have the best chances of not getting the flu virus and you stay healthy this winter.”
Hywel Dda Health Board is also encouraging NHS workers and carers to get jabbed this winter to ensure they protect themselves and those around them.
To get your jab, contact your GP to make an appointment or check NHS Direct for a local pharmacy that can give you the vaccine. It’s safe, quick and free for those who are most at risk.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Ruth Hussey said: “Flu spreads easily, and can cause serious illness which would need to be treated in hospital. If you are eligible for the vaccine, talk to your GP surgery, local health clinic or you can talk to NHS Direct Wales.
“For the first time selected community pharmacies will also be providing the vaccine this year. You can find out more about this on the NHS Direct Wales website. Please check with NHS Direct Wales or your pharmacy before travelling to find out if your local pharmacy can provide you with the vaccine.
“Many people think that flu is just a bad cold, but in fact it is much worse and can lead to other severe health complications. People know that the vaccine is available for the over 65s, but many people living with other health conditions aren’t always aware that they can get vaccinated as well. It is really important that people who are in at-risk groups do get vaccinated.”
For more information, contact www.hyweldddahb@wales.nhs.uk and follow @getjabbed on twitter.
- You can find information on community pharmacies offering the flu jab on the NHS Direct Wales website here.
- Members of recognised voluntary organisations who provide planned emergency first aid at public events will be able to obtain a vaccine if they are identified by a letter from their organisation naming them and confirming their membership and role in the organisation.
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