Get Your Flu Vaccine Now
Figures show 4,000 emergency admissions to hospital annually due to flu
Heart of Hounslow clinic
Get your flu vaccine now
Hounslow Council, in partnership with Hounslow Clinical Commissioning
Group (CCG), is urging residents to get their flu vaccinations as the
winter months approach. The vaccination is particularly important for
people with long-term conditions, small children, and over 65-year-olds.
The flu virus is unpleasant, but if you are otherwise healthy it will
usually clear up on its own within a week. However, in some cases, it
can be far more serious than you think.
Cllr Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council, said:
“Flu is a really unpleasant illness, particularly for our most vulnerable
residents and it is essential that people take steps to protect themselves
during the winter months.
“Having only recently been vaccinated myself, the jab is no more
than feeling a slight scratch, if at all. It not only protects us, but
also those we are close to, who might fall ill if we unknowingly pass
on the virus.
“I urge anyone who is entitled to a free flu jab to make an appointment
with their GP or pharmacy to help our borough stay well this winter.”
Residents can get the safe and painless vaccination at local GP surgeries,
some pharmacies and, for children aged 2-9 through school in the form
of a nasal spray. Children and young people between two and seventeen
who have a long-term condition will also be offered the vaccination in
the “needle-free” form of a nasal spray.
Councillor Cllr Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Communities and Workforce,
Hounslow Council, said: "Most of us have had flu at some time and
will be familiar with its highly unpleasant symptoms including headaches,
tiredness, nausea and joint pain.
“What is less well known is that it can be very serious and in extreme
cases it can even be life-threatening.
“I urge all residents – especially those with young children,
long-term illnesses or the over 65s – not to take chances. Get vaccinated
now!”
Hounslow CCG currently experiences approximately 4,000 respiratory related
emergency admissions into hospital over the course of every 12 months.
The dangers of flu are particularly high for patients with a long-term
respiratory condition, such as asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease, and for residents who are carers, are over 65, are pregnant,
or children aged two, three and four (i.e. born between 1 September 2014
and 31 August 2016). Small children can be at risk of complications such
as bronchitis, pneumonia and painful middle ear infection. These groups
are all strongly advised to get a flu vaccination as soon as they can.
Dr Nicola Burbidge, Hounslow Clinical Commissioning Group chair and Wellesley
Road Practice GP said:
“People with a long-term health condition can become very unwell
when they catch the flu and may end up in hospital. In particular, flu
can trigger symptoms of long-term respiratory conditions, including asthma
and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
“If you have a long-term condition you are eligible for the free
flu jab. The flu vaccine is safe and effective. Don’t wait; visit
your GP or pharmacist today.”
Flu is not the same as a common cold and is a highly infectious disease
which can lead to serious complications if you have a long-term health
condition such as bronchitis, emphysema, diabetes, heart, kidney or liver
disease or have suffered a stroke.
For more information on staying well this winter, visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/staywell
Think you need medical help right now? You can call NHS 111 where a fully
trained advisor will advise on the best course of action.
Additional information
If you have a long-term respiratory condition, you can also do a great
deal to help yourself – as well as having your flu jab - such as:
• Stopping smoking
• Keeping fit
• Eating healthily
• Using your prescribed medications correctly and making sure your
inhalator technique is checked at least once a year by your doctor or
practice nurse
Useful contacts:
• OneYou Hounslow, 0208 973 3530, oneyou.Hounslow@nhs.net, www.oneyouhounslow.org
• Hounslow COPD Support Group, www.hounslowcopd.btck.co.ukw
• British Lung Foundation, 0207 688 5555, www.blf.org.uk, Twitter,
lunguk
• Asthma UK, https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments/
If you are living with a long-term condition, you can take a short assessment
to find out what support you may be entitled to www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Longterm.aspx
There is an NHS video here about asthma inhaler techniques: ww.youtube.com/watch?v=fHcG8DXUwdQ
November 16, 2018