Protect yourself from flu

Cheshire East Council is reminding residents there’s still time to get their flu jab.

People at increased risk of severe illness are the elderly, the very young, pregnant women, those with long-term health conditions – particularly chronic respiratory or cardiac disease – and those with a weakened immune system.

Health and social care workers are also urged to protect themselves, as well as their patients and clients, by having the jab.

Those eligible to receive a free flu jab on the NHS are:

• People aged 65 or over
• All pregnant women
• People living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility
• Those in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill
• People aged from six months to 65, who have certain medical conditions (including diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, heart problems, chronic neurological diseases and conditions such as Parkinson’s, chronic respiratory disease and those with a weakened immune system)
• All two, three and four-year-olds
• All children in school years 1, 2 and 3.

Dr Guy Hayhurst, a public health consultant at Cheshire East Council, said: “It’s very important that people are immunised each year as the flu bug changes every winter and the flu jab protects against the strains that will be circulating.

“Don’t delay getting the flu vaccination – speak to your surgery as soon as possible.”

Household contacts of anyone who has a weakened immune system are also recommended to have the flu vaccine.

For advice and information about the flu vaccination and whether you are eligible for a free jab, speak to your GP, practice nurse or pharmacist or visit http://www.nhs.uk/staywell

Further winter-related advice

• www.facebook.com/cheshireeastcouncil
• www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/winter

Residents can help friends and neighbours who do not have internet access by downloading and printing off information from the website and giving it to them.