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Some groups of patients are invited for the flu vaccine because they may be more susceptible to the effects of flu. The flu vaccine provides the best protection available against a virus that can cause severe illness. It is best to have the flu vaccination in the autumn before any outbreaks of flu. Remember that the vaccine is needed every year.

Flu clinic appointments can be booked in the following 3 ways:

• Online            Online Services – Access the Appointment System (Flu Clinic). If you do not have a SystmOne Online account with us, please present at any one of our sites with photographic ID (i.e. passport, driving licence etc.) and request online access.
  

• Telephone    Our dedicated Flu Appointments Lines

          07853 266 073 (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm)
          0780 288 4402 (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm)
          07955 499 542 (Monday to Friday 5pm – 8pm)

• In Person      by visiting any of our 4 sites at Foxhole, Park, Wheal Northey or Carlyon Road Health Hub.

Weekday flu vaccine appointments are available to book now - please contact us as above.
There has been a national shortage of children's flu vaccine, and supplies are limited. Please contact reception to check if an appointment is available.

Flu occurs every year, usually in the winter, which is why it’s sometimes called seasonal flu. It’s a highly infectious disease with symptoms that come on very quickly. Colds are much less serious and usually start gradually with a stuffy or runny nose and a sore throat. A bad bout of flu can be much worse than a heavy cold. The most common symptoms of flu are fever, chills, headache, aches and pains in the joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness. Healthy individuals usually recover within two to seven days, but for certain groups of prople, especially those with long term medical conditions, flu can lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability or even death.

Carers are also eligible for the free flu vaccination (as the welfare of the person they care for may be at risk if the carer falls ill). If there is someone you rely upon to care for you, we suggest they contact their own GP practice to ask for a free flu vaccination.

At your flu appointment, if appropriate, you may also be offered a vaccination against pneumococcal disease which can cause severe pneumonia.

There are 3 types of flu vaccine:

• 2 to 17 year olds - nasal spray. A live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), given as a nasal spray. This is for children and young people aged 2 to 17 years eligible for the flu vaccine.
  
• 18 - 64 year olds - a quadrivalent injected vaccine (QIV). This is for adults aged 18 and over but below the age of 65 who are at increased risk from flu because of a long-term health condition and for children 6 months and above in an eligible group who cannot receive the live vaccine.
• 65 years and over - a trivalent injected vaccine (aTIV). This is an adjuvanted trivalent flu vaccine, which is recommended as the most effective vaccine for this age group. It is only licensed for aged 65 and over. If you are currently 64 but will be 65 on 31 March 2020, you do qualify for this vaccine.

If your child is aged between 6 months and 2 years old and is in a high-risk group for flu, they will be offered an injected flu vaccine as the nasal spray is not licensed for children under 2.

Who should have the flu jab?
The injected flu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to people who are at risk. This is to ensure they are protected against catching flu and developing serious complications.

You are eligible to receive a free flu jab if you: 

• are 65 years of age or over   
• are pregnant 
• have certain medical conditions 
• are living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility 
• receive a carer's allowance, or you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill 

Find out more...

Housebound and Care Homes
Housebound patients should receive a letter advising of when flu vaccination home visits will take place.
We will also be visiting the care homes to vaccinate the residents.
Please contact reception if you have any queries regarding this.

At Risk Groups
All patients over 65
Asthma
BMI 40 or over (Obesity)
Carer
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic Heart Disease (CHD)
Chronic Kidney Disease  (CKD)
Chronic Liver Disease
COPD
Currently pregnant
Diabetes
Epilepsy
Heart failure
Hepatitis
Immunosupressed
Learning Disability
Neurological Disorders
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinsons Disease
Sickle Cell
Spleen Disorder or Splenectomy
Stroke

Patients who live with someone who is immunosupressed can also be vaccinated.

Frequently asked questions

What is flu?
Flu is a highly infectious disease. The symptoms, that come on very quickly, include fever, chills, headaches, aches and pains in the joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness. For most healthy people, a bad bout of flu is worse than a heavy cold usually requiring someone to spend a few days in bed. However, serious infections, especially in those with underlying health conditions, although less common, can lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability and even death.

Why are there different vaccines for different age groups?
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that:

• The adjuvanted trivalent vaccine (aTIV) will be offered for all patients aged 65s and over; and
• The quadrivalent vaccine (QIV) for people in the 18 to under 65s at risk group.

 
These vaccine recommendations are based on the available clinical evidence and deemed by the JCVI to be in the best interests of patients.
 
For patients aged 65 years and over, aTIV is highly effective and contains two strains of Influenza A and one strain of Influenza B . The vaccine contains an ‘adjuvant’ that increases the body’s immune response to a vaccine which leads to greater protection. The vaccine is designed to work much more effectively than the trivalent vaccine used last year.
 
The QIV recommended for patients aged 18-65 in at-risk groups contains a further flu strain of Influenza B which more commonly affects younger people. Using this vaccine will provide much wider protection for this cohort of patients.

What causes flu?
Flu is caused by viruses that are spread from person to person. They infect the respiratory system, where they can lead to pneumonia and other complications. The viruses are constantly changing and this is one of the main reasons why people should be vaccinated annually.

How can I avoid catching flu?
It’s quite hard to avoid because people may be able to pass the virus on to others a day or so before symptoms start to show (as well as up to seven days after), so they won’t know if they are spreading the virus or not. So it’s very hard to avoid contact with people infected with the flu virus. And, of course, members of your family can always bring it into the home.
You can also wash your hands regularly but this won’t stop you catching the disease by breathing in the infected droplets in the air.
So the best way to help avoid getting flu is by having the vaccination.

Why do underlying health conditions or pregnancy make it more serious for someone who gets flu?
You are at particular risk of severe illness if you get flu and have an underlying health condition, or are pregnant. This means that you are more likely to be admitted to hospital or on rare occasions be admitted to intensive care and even potentially die.

When is too late to have a flu vaccine?
Flu usually starts from December onwards, although it can be earlier. Vaccination is recommended for all eligible patient groups between September and December. Vaccination can be given later in the flu season, particularly if a patient is newly at risk, such as a pregnant woman who was not pregnant at the start of the vaccination period.

How is flu spread?
Flu is spread by coughs and sneezes that propel infected droplets of saliva or nasal secretions into the air which are then breathed in by others. The disease is also spread by people touching surfaces that the droplets have landed on and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. This is why frequent hand washing or using an antiseptic hand rub is so important during the winter flu season.

Why is flu more serious for me if I am an older person?
The risk of serious illness from flu and consequent hospitalisation and death is higher among those aged 65 years and older as they are more likely to have an underlying health problem and the immune system does not work as well. The best way for people at risk from flu to protect themselves is to get the flu vaccine.

I am over 65. Can I have the quadrivalent vaccine (QIV)?
The adjuvanted trivalent vaccine (aTIV) is recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations for this age group as giving the best protection against the flu. It is better to have the aTIV if you are aged 65 or older.

I am under 65. Can I have the adjuncted trivalent vaccine (aTIV)?
The aTIV is only licensed for use in people aged 65 years and older. The only exception to this is 64 year olds who will turn 65 by 31st March 2020, who can be given the aTIV.

Will I be completely protected by the vaccination?
By having the vaccination you will be significantly reducing your risk of getting flu but no vaccine offers 100% protection.

Will I get any side effects?
There are some fairly common but mild side effects. Some people get a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days afterwards, and your arm may feel a bit sore where you were injected. Any other reactions are very rare. Serious side effects in children are uncommon but many develop a runny or blocked nose, headache, general tiredness and some loss of appetite that lasts for a short period.

I had the flu vaccination last year. Do I need another one this year?
Yes, the flu vaccine for this winter provides protection against some different strains of flu from last year’s. For this reason we strongly recommend that even if you were vaccinated last year, you should be vaccinated again this year.

Where can I get more information?
Speak to your GP practice or visit the flu pages on the NHS website at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.aspx

If you choose not to have the 2019/20 Seasonal Flu Vaccination please let us know by completing the below form.  You will then not receive a further invitation this year.