Patients living with a long term condition such as diabetes, asthma or a heart condition are urged to have a free NHS flu vaccination to keep them well this winter.
These patients – including children and adults – are more at risk of the complications of flu which could result in a stay in hospital or even death.
Dr Ed Capo-Bianco, Urgent Care Lead at Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It’s very important that patients who have an underlying health condition don’t delay and have a free flu vaccination at their GP practice or a pharmacist.”
Ed said: “Healthy individuals usually recover within two to seven days from flu, but for some, especially those with a long term condition the illness can lead to a stay in hospital, permanent disability or even death.”
You are eligible for the free flu vaccine if you have the following conditions:
- heart problem
- chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or severe asthma
- kidney disease
- lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
- liver disease
- stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- diabetes
- neurological condition e.g. multiple sclerosis
- morbid obesity (BMI over 40)
- cerebral palsy or a learning disability.
You can watch a short video of an Oxfordshire patient who has diabetes, urging eligible people to have a free NHS flu vaccination – see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzQ-tjWb2a0&feature=youtu.be
Who else is eligible for an NHS flu vaccination?
People aged over 65, pregnant women, children in primary school and youngsters aged 2 and 3 years old.
For more information on the NHS flu vaccination visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/