Flu vaccination by injection, commonly known as the "flu jab", is available every year on the NHS to protect adults (and some children) at risk of flu and its complications.

This winter all adult patients who are eligible for NHS flu vaccinations will also be able to have them free of charge at local community pharmacies as well as their GP practice.

NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the organisation responsible for procuring the majority of health care services in the area, is reminding patients who are eligible for the flu vaccine, to not put it off, get it now.

Dr Shaun O’Connell, lead for Prescribing and Planned Care at the CCG, said: “Flu can be unpleasant, but if you are otherwise healthy it will usually clear up on its own within a week.

“However, flu can be more severe for people in certain risk groups. These patients are more likely to develop potentially serious complications of flu, such as pneumonia (a lung infection), so it's recommended that they have a flu vaccine every year to protect them.”

Groups most at risk include:

• anyone over the age of 65
• pregnant women
• children and adults with an underlying health condition (particularly long-term heart or respiratory disease)
• children and adults with weakened immune systems

Dr Shaun O’Connell said: “Over time, protection from the injected flu vaccine gradually decreases and flu strains often change. So new flu vaccines are produced each year which is why people advised to have the flu jab need it every year too.”

The community pharmacies that now offer the flu vaccination provide a ‘walk-in’ service with no appointment necessary. The pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals and will be using the same vaccinations as those offered by GPs.

Dr O’ Connell added: “The best time to have a flu vaccine is in the autumn, from the beginning of October to early November, but don't worry if you've missed it, you can have the vaccine later in winter if there are stocks left.”

City of York Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health and Chair of the city’s Health and Wellbeing Board, Councillor Carol Runciman, said: “We would like to encourage people in York who fall into the key groups to contact either their GP or visit their local community pharmacist to arrange to receive the flu vaccine.  The impact of flu on frail and vulnerable patients in communities and in care homes can be fatal so it is important we try to reduce the incidence of flu this winter in York to manage the health and wellbeing of our residents.”

To arrange your flu jab please contact your GP Practice or visit your nearest community pharmacy. For contact details please visit www.nhs.uk.

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