Residents Urged to Stay Well This Winter

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Free flu vaccinations available for those most at risk

Hammersmith and Fulham residents are being urged to take advantage of free flu vaccinations to protect against the potentially dangerous virus.

Free flu vaccinations are available across Hammersmith & Fulham for young children, residents aged over 65, pregnant women, carers and those with long-term illness. And there is no need for parents to worry as children receive their vaccination through a painless nasal spray.

Vanessa Andrea, Vice Chair of Hammersmith and Fulham Clinical Commissioning Group says: " The flu vaccination offers protection for millions of people most at risk including young children, the elderly and those with long-term health conditions.

"Flu is not the same as the common cold and we must recognise the difference. Flu symptoms tend to start much more suddenly, can be more severe, and last longer.

" If you are eligible for a free flu vaccination then please contact your GP, pharmacist or midwife for more details."

"The Stay Well For Winter campaign is hugely important, and has the full backing of Hammersmith & Fulham Council," says Cllr Vivienne Lukey, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care.

"We want to get the message out to parents of young children and residents at risk of suffering from flu complications, that a vaccination this winter should be a real priority. Vaccinations are free, widely available – and could potentially save lives."

Who should have the vaccination?

Everyone aged 65 and over (this includes anybody that will be 65 and over on 31 March 2017)
People aged aged six months – 65 with one of the following: heart problem, chest complaint or breathing difficulties including severe asthma, bronchitis or emphysema, liver disease, diabetes, kidney disease, lowered immunity due to disease or treatment, neurological condition
All pregnant women
School children in years one, two and three
Two, three and four-year-old children
Everyone living in a residential or nursing home
Everyone who cares for an older or disabled person
Household contacts of anyone who is immunocompromised
All frontline health and social care workers

You can have your flu vaccination at:

Your GP surgery – please contact your surgery to book an appointment or to find out if they run an open access flu clinic.
A local pharmacy offering the service (only for eligible adults).
For pregnant women, please contact your surgery to book an appointment or to find out if they run an open access flu clinic, however, your midwifery service may offer this to you
For school children in years 1,2 and 3, your school will notify you if they are offering flu clinics.

There will also be walk in flu sessions to be delivered by accessible to all registered patients at the locations listed below on the following dates:

Saturday 12th November - 9-12pm
Saturday 17th December - 9-12pm
Saturday 14th January - 9-12pm

The practices, in Hammersmith, Shepherd's Bush and Fulham are:

Brook Green Medical Centre
Bute Gardens
London
W6 7EG

Parkview (Drs Canisius and Hasan)
Parkview Practice
Parkview Centre for Health & Wellbeing
Cranston Court
56 Bloemfontein Road
W12 7FG

Cassidy Medical Centre
651A Fulham Road
SW6 5PX

 

October 28, 2016