The Scottish Government's annual winter flu vaccination programme starts in October of each year to ensure people who are susceptible to the effects of flu are protected against the virus.
If you (or anyone you know) are eligible for a free jab, make an appointment with your GP practice to have a flu jab.
You can obtain further information about the flu vaccination by
You are eligible to receive a free flu jab if you:
The jab can never offer 100% protection from seasonal flu, but does have a success rate of between 70 and 80% while others are more likely to get milder symptoms.
Patients with seasonal flu typically have a fever or a high temperature and two or more of the following symptoms:
In those circumstances you should stay at home, keep warm and rest, let a member of your family or friend know that you are ill, drink plenty of liquids and eat what you can.
If you are in an at risk group or your symptoms get worse and you have chest pains of experience shortness of breath, you should contact your GP.
Seasonal flu peaks each winter between December and March, which is why the Scottish Government urge those in the at risk groups and those aged 65 and over to make sure they get their free jab now before flu starts to circulate.
The virus changes every year and a new vaccine is created, so it's important that you have the vaccine every year.
The vaccine does not contain live viruses so cannot give you flu and side effects of the vaccine are rare.