For many people, a bout of flu makes you feel miserable but it’s not a serious illness. If you are generally healthy, you will usually recover from it within a week.
But some people are more at risk of developing potentially serious health problems from flu, such as bronchitis, pneumonia and sometimes death.
A flu jab not only helps protect you from the virus, it will also help protect your family and friends. Many people don’t have any side effects – some may develop a cold or slight temperature but this should settle without treatment in a couple of days.
The NHS offers the flu vaccine free of charge to the following groups:
- 65 years old or over
- children aged six months to two years at risk of flu
- women who are pregnant
- those have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease
- people who are very overweight, living in a long-stay care home
- people who receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for someone who may be at risk if you fall ill.
This year, there are three forms of the flu vaccine; nasal drops for young children, and the usual jab for those under 65 years of age. For those over 65, there’s a new more effective version of the jab.
If you do not fall into the above criteria, you can still purchase a jab at many local pharmacies across Doncaster.
Check out this easy read Flu guide produced by Public Health England.