‘It isn’t too late to get your flu jab’ practice nurse advises

December has been unusually warm so far this year, but the seasonal influenza virus (or ‘flu’) is still expected to affect people in Northern Ireland over the coming weeks, disrupting Christmas plans, work, school and, particularly for people who have medical conditions, potentially putting their health at risk.

Practice nurse Margaret Kerr, who appears in the new Public Health Agency and Health and Social Care Board joint campaign ‘Stay Well This Winter’ said, “Flu can be extremely unpleasant, and in some cases very dangerous, so it is important that everyone who is eligible to receive the vaccine takes up the offer.

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“People most at risk from flu include pregnant women, children aged 2 – 11 years old, people aged 65 and over and people with long-term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, bronchitis, heart and kidney disease.

“If these groups are exposed to the virus it can lead to serious complications to their health and may result in a hospital admission.

“Anyone who is the main carer for an older person or a person with a disability is also eligible for the free vaccine to help protect the person they look after.

“It isn’t too late to help protect yourself and your children from flu, so please take up the offer of a vaccine in the form of a flu jab for adults or a nasal spray for children as soon as possible.

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Margaret added, “Contact your GP surgery or practice nurse to arrange a vaccination to help yourself stay well this winter.”

For further information on flu and how to help yourself stay well this winter visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/stay-well

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Posted by Newry Times News on Dec 16 2016. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry