Flu
What is flu?
While flu is unpleasant for most people it can be very dangerous and even life threatening for some, particularly people with certain health conditions, older people and pregnant women. For these groups the flu can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, or can make existing conditions worse.
Dr Muhammad Naqvi, a local GP and chair of Newham Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
“The flu is not the same as getting a cold. It can seriously affect your health and the risks of developing complications are greater for people within the ‘at-risk’ groups. The risks are also higher if you get flu and coronavirus at the same time.”
Flu symptoms
Some of the main symptoms of flu include the below. You don’t have to have all these symptoms to have the flu:
- a high temperature (fever)
- tiredness and weakness
- a headache
- an aching body
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
Having the flu vaccine will reduce your risk of serious illness. Once vaccinated, you’re more likely to have milder symptoms and recover quicker if you do catch the viruses
Getting the flu vaccine
Flu vaccines are safe and effective. They are offered for free every year to some people. You can find out if you are eligible for a free flu vaccine here.
If you are not eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can still go to your GP or pharmacy and ask for the flu vaccine. It will cost you a small fee.
As well as protecting you and the people around you, vaccination also protects the NHS over winter by reducing the number of people that are likely to get seriously ill from catching a virus and needing to go to hospital
When to get the flu vaccine
The best time to have the flu vaccine is in the autumn before the flu starts spreading. It is important that you get vaccinated as soon as possible to give yourself the best possible protection ahead of winter. The flu vaccine will also be offered into the winter months.
Where to go for more information
- Find out more about the flu vaccine.
- Find a local pharmacy offering the flu vaccine.
- Register with a GP
this view in several different languages at Newham Families Advice and Support | Children’s flu video in different languages
Children
In Newham last year, less than 36.3% of children aged 2 and 3 years old had their free flu vaccine. Without vaccination children are more likely to catch the flu and spread it to others who are at higher risk like babies and the elderly, even if they don’t have symptoms.
Dr Muhammad Naqvi, a local GP and chair of Newham Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
"t is vitally important that in this unprecedented year that parents of young children get them vaccinated for flu. It can be a very unpleasant illness for children and it can also lead to serious problems.
Children spread it easily and vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable to flu."
A short video on NHS Flu Vaccinations for Children
You can view this view in several different languages at Newham Families Advice and Support | Children’s flu video in different languages
Getting your child the flu vaccine
Most eligible children will be offered the nasal spray flu vaccine. This type of vaccine is a spray that is squirted up each nostril. It is painless, quick and side effects are uncommon and generally mild. It also contains highly processed porcine gelatine to stabilise the vaccine virus.
Many faith groups accept the use of porcine gelatine in medical products. However, if you want your child to have the flu vaccine that does not contain porcine gelatine, you can ask for your child to be vaccinated with an injected vaccine instead. The injection does not contain porcine.
Where to have the flu vaccine
If your child is eligible for a school age vaccination, a consent form will be sent home with your child for the parent/guardian to complete.
You can also complete the form online
It is safe for your child(ren) to have the flu vaccine, even if they have previously had flu or Covid-19.
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