Flu Jab Time For Wokingham Residents
Flu Jab
As we enter the flu season, Wokingham Borough residents are being encouraged to join the fight against flu and get vaccinated.
The flu can be a particularly serious for children, older people or individuals with long-term health conditions. It can potentially lead to serious complications like pneumonia that require further treatment and can even prove fatal. Getting vaccinated against the virus is the most effective way to protect yourself.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are available through GPs and pharmacies for free for those at particular risk of complications including pregnant women, those aged 65 and over, carers, those with long term health conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, respiratory conditions or neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, and those with weakened immune systems.
Children
Children aged two and three will also be able to receive their vaccination through their GP and children in reception and in years 1 to 5 will be offered immunisation through their school. Children will be offered a painless nasal flu vaccine.
Cllr Richard Dolinski, executive member for adult social care, health and wellbeing said: “It’s important that everybody eligible takes advantage of their free vaccination. The flu is unpleasant for us all, but for the most vulnerable in society it can be deadly. Please encourage any friends or relatives who may be eligible for the free jab to get vaccinated – it is never too late.”
Julie Hotchkiss, interim consultant in public health, said: “There is no cure for flu, getting vaccinated and practising good hand hygiene is the best way to prevent yourself, and those around you, from catching the flu. We encourage people to practice good hand hygiene by catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue, throwing it away and washing your hands after can help limit its spread – catch it, bin it, kill it. It is important to get vaccinated every year as the germs mutate and change, and every year the vaccination is updated to offer greater protection.
