Get the immunisation – get flu-safe

As a carer for someone else, it can be easy to overlook your own health and well-being.  Last winter more than half of the carers in England didn’t get a flu immunisation.  The NHS in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin is reminding carers that flu poses a serious risk to both themselves and the family or friends they care for, so they should get protected with a free flu immunisation this winter.

Dr Irfan Ghani, Shropshire County Primary Care Trust’s Consultant in Public Health, said:

“As a carer you want to do everything you can to help protect those in your care.  However, last winter more than half of the carers in England didn’t take the opportunity to have a free flu immunisation.  Flu can knock even the healthiest people off their feet for a couple of weeks, making it impossible for a carer to look after the person in their care.

“People over 65 and people with health conditions such as severe asthma, diabetes, and chest and heart complaints are being encouraged to visit their local GP surgery now to have their flu immunisation, so we want to remind carers to book an appointment for themselves as well to get protected.”

Dr John Reid, NHS Telford and Wrekin’s Consultant in Public Health, added:

“It’s not just about protecting the carer from getting flu, but also preventing them from passing the virus onto the vulnerable person they care for.  Flu is a highly infectious disease which is easily spread from one person to another.  Getting flu when you already have a long term condition can lead to serious complications, and it can even be a killer.

“The flu immunisation is completely safe and doesn’t carry the live flu virus so it can’t give you flu.  So please take the time to look after yourself as well as your loved ones and get flu-safe with a free immunisation at your local GP surgery.”

Unlike other medication for long term conditions, the flu immunisation is an annual one-off vaccine.  The flu vaccine changes every year to fight the latest strains of flu, so even if you had an immunisation last winter you need another one this year to stay flu-safe.

The flu immunisation is available to people who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an older person or person with disability, whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.

Simply contact your GP to arrange a convenient appointment and get your immunisation. It’s quick, safe and free for carers and those living with a long term health condition.

Help us raise awareness of how important the flu immunisation is, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flufightersstw.