At-risk people urged to get flu vaccination

A flu vaccine is available for free for the following people: all children aged two to seven (but not eight years or older) on August 31 2016; all primary school-aged children in former primary school pilot areas; those aged six months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups; pregnant women; those aged 65 years and over; those in long-stay residential care homes, and carers.

Dr Joe McManners, pictured, clinical chairman at Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group said: “If you are in any of the ‘at-risk’ groups, my advice is to visit your GP and get the free NHS flu vaccination as soon as possible. It is quick and easy to have and is the best form of protection for you and others.

“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.”

A nasal spray is available from GPs for children aged two, three and four years while schoolchildren in years one, two and three will be invited by the school health nursing teams to get the nasal spray vaccination at school.