Flu Campaign
Flu can be serious - make sure you have your jab
People of any age with a long-term medical condition are being warned about the risk of serious complications of flu and are urged to have a flu vaccination this winter.
The Scottish Government's annual winter flu vaccination programme takes place in October to ensure people who are susceptible to the effects of flu are protected against the virus.
Eligibility for Free Vaccination
Anyone who suffers from heart or lung problems or is 65 are eligible for the flu vaccine.
Conditions and diseases which can make flu much more dangerous include:
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Cystic fibrosis
- Congenital heart disease
- Hypertension
- Chronic kidney failure
- Cirrhosis/hepatitis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Diabetes
- HIV infection
If you have children who suffer from any of these conditions they should be vaccinated too.
Anyone undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment should also get vaccinated.
To help stay healthy and benefit those they look after, unpaid carers are also eligible for the flu vaccine. This includes young people who look after a relative or friend who is infirm, disabled or who has long-term health problems.
If you (or anyone you know) are eligible for a free jab, make an appointment with your GP practice to have a flu jab. If you are unsure of your eligibility for a free jab, please ask your pharmacist or GP to advise you.
Further Information
You can obtain further information about the flu vaccination by
- visiting www.infoscotland.com/flu for a free information leaflet,
- or calling the NHS helpline free on 0800 22 44 88 (open 8.00 am - 10.00 pm, seven days a week)
Flu is a highly infectious disease, which is passed on through coughing, sneezing and touching someone who is already carrying the virus. Having the flu is very different from having the cold and symptoms come on quicker and are much more severe. Most people recover from flu within a week or two but people with long-term medical conditions and older people could be ill for longer and could develop serious conditions, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Flu can strike at any time during winter and you could find yourself missing that important deadline, the office party or the January sales.
The virus also 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.
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