Flu

Flu Jabs
More people died from influenza and pneumonia than those who died with breast cancer or prostate cancer in 2009.  Last year's winter flu outbreak resulted in more than 600 deaths in the UK and thousands more people died with flu as a contributory factor.

Four groups have been identified as being most at risk:

• Pregnant women
• People with long term conditions which can be anything from diabetes to asthma, heart disease and multiple sclerosis
• Carers
• People over 65 years

Dr Chris Kenny, Director of Public Health at NHS Nottinghamshire County said: "Flu is different to getting a cold and the effects of seasonal flu are often underestimated.  Some people are more at risk from flu and need the vaccine because they are not able to fight off flu as easily as others.  It can often result in more serious complications which require hospital treatment and the figures from last winter show that sometimes there can be devastating consequences. This can be prevented by having the vaccine, which is being provided free at GP surgeries across Principia for people with long term conditions, carers, those over 65 and pregnant women".

Ask at your GP practice.