Comments
Wrong. If you've ever experienced flu, you know; it's a lot more than a bad cold. In most cases, flu causes moderate illness. However reports suggest flu is estimated to be responsible for more than 18,000 deaths each year in England and Wales. 1
1. Pitman RJ, Melagaro A. Gelb D, et al. Assessing the burden of influenza and other respiratory infections in England and Wales. J Infect 2007;54[6]:530-8
Flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection. It spreads easily from person to person; at home, at school, at work, at the supermarket, on the train. It gets passed on when someone who already has flu coughs or sneezes and is transmitted through the air by droplets. 1
1. World Health Organization (WHO). Influenza. Fact Sheet No. 211. April 2009. Available at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs211/en. Accessed August 2010.
The young and the old can be at greater risk as well as those who suffer from diabetes, asthma and other chronic illnesses. If your family or friends fall into any of these groups, you can indirectly help to protect them from the flu virus by having your flu jab.
A flu vaccine will simulate the first wave of your body's natural defenses and create antibodies that will help defend your body from the types of flu virus found in this year's winter flu jab.
No, this is a myth. A flu jab contains inactivated, killed virus strains so it can't give you the flu.1 However, a flu jab can take up to 2 weeks to begin working2 so it is poissible to catch flu in this period. A flu jab is designed to protect you against the most common and potent strains of flu circulating. There is a small chance you could catch a strain of flu not contained in the flu vaccine or even just a cold virus circulating in the community.
Questions & Answers: Flu Vaccine. Available at: www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/fluvaccine.htm. Accessed August 2010.
Immunisation against infectious disease. Department of Health Chapter 19, P. 189. Available at: www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dhdigitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_107815.pdf
Yes. This year's seasonal flu jab contains the H1N1 flu virus which causes swine flu. This means it may not be necessary to have two different vaccinations this year.1
1. Interim Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health. The influenza immunisation programme 2010/2011. 28 May 2010. www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersandcirculars/Professionalletters/Chemicalofficerletters/DH_116507 (Accessed 1 August 2010).
If you fall into one of the NHS recommended "at risk" groups then you are eligible for a free flu jab at your local GP surgery. The cost of a flu jab administered by your local pharmacist starts from £10. Use the flu clinic locator below to find one.
