You have probably found this page as you have received an invite to have a flu vaccine. This means you (or someone you share a mobile number with) is likely eligible for the 2023 flu vaccine. Flu is much more serious than you may think. A flu vaccination provides the best protection against an unpredictable virus which infects many people and can cause serious illness and death each year. Also, the flu virus changes every year so even if you had an injection last year, you still need one for this winter.
Please check if you meet any of the eligibility criteria below. If you do then you can receive the influenza vaccine from our practice.
Conditions included;
- Chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma (that requires an inhaled or tablet steroid treatment, or has led to hospital admission in the recent past)
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) – including emphysema
- Chronic heart disease - including angina, heart attack and heart failure
- Had a stroke or mini stroke
- Chronic kidney disease (stages 3 to 5)
- Chronic liver disease, such as chronic hepatitis, fibrosis or cirrhosis
- Chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
- 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, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
- Have a learning disability
- Close contacts of people with a very weak immune system
- Those who are receipt of a carer’s allowance, or who are the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill
- Pregnant women
- Being seriously overweight with a BMI of 40 or above
- If you are the main carer for someone who is elderly or disabled
- Health and social care staff, employed by a registered residential care/nursing home or registered domiciliary care provider, who are directly involved in the care of vulnerable patients/clients who are at increased risk from exposure to influenza
- Health and care staff, employed by a voluntary managed hospice provider, who are directly involved in the care of vulnerable patients/clients who are at increased risk from exposure to influenza
- Health and social care workers employed through Direct Payment (personal budgets) and/or Personal Health Budgets, such as Personal Assistants, to deliver domiciliary care to patients and service users
- Household contacts of those on the NHS Shielded Patient List. Specifically, individuals who expect to share living accommodation with a shielded person on most days over the winter and therefore for whom continuing close contact is unavoidable.
- Age 2 or 3 (born 1/9/19 to 31/8/21 inclusive)
If you meet any of the criteria above then please ring the surgery and ask for a flu vaccination or book online via one of the apps.