Flu Information

Seasonal flu is a highly infectious illness caused by a flu virus. The virus infects your lungs and upper airways, causing a sudden high temperature and general aches and pains. You could also lose your appetite, feel nauseous and have a dry cough. Symptoms can last for up to a week.

You may be invited for a flu jab if you are:

  • Are 65 years of age or over
  • Are pregnant
  • Have certain medical conditions
  • Are living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility
  • Receive a carer’s allowance, or you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill

or have a serious long-term health condition, including:

  • Chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma
  • Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
  • Chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease
  • Diabetes
  • Problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
  • A weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS
  • Being seriously overweight (BMI of 40 or above)
  • Eligible children who are aged 2 and 3 on 31st August 2019 – that is, children born between September, 1st 2015 and August, 31st 2017
  • Children who are 4 years old are also eligible for flu vaccination provided they were 3 on August, 31st 2019. These children should be offered the vaccination at their general practice.
  • Children in reception class and school years 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be offered their vaccination in school. In a couple of areas it might be offered in primary care settings.

We will be sending invitation letters shortly to our eligible patients with details of our Flu clinics.

External Websites