’Flu vaccination: Are you eligible for the free jab?
GET PROTECTED FROM THE VIRUS
IT’S autumn, leaves are falling from the trees, nights are drawing in and as a professional pharmacist it’s time for me to start thinking about vaccinating against flu.
I’ve listed a few questions which should help you check if you are eligible for the free NHS flu jab at your GP surgery or one of many pharmacies who offer the service.
65 years of age and over? You are particularly at risk of becoming very unwell from flu and flu-related illness, as well as any existing conditions getting worse.
You should be given an adjuvanted trivalent flu vaccine (aTIV) as there is strong clinical evidence this is the most effective. Other groups (18 to under 65s ‘at risk’) will be given a quadrivalent vaccine (QIV).
Pregnant? Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to severe complications of flu (e.g. pneumonia, miscarriage, premature birth or low birth weight).
The vaccination can be given irrespective of the stage of pregnancy.
Also, there is evidence vaccination during pregnancy provides passive immunity against flu to infants in the first few months of life.
Receiving carer’s allowance? If you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person who would be at risk if you became ill, you could be eligible. Do you have a serious long-term
(chronic) health condition? This includes chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); chronic heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease or a neurological condition such
as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease; diabetes; spleen problems such as sickle cell; a weakened immune system through certain conditions or because of the medication you are taking (e.g. steroid tablets); and if you are seriously overweight with a BMI of 40 or more.
Have children? The jab is free for children over six months with a longterm health condition; children aged two or three on August 31, 2018; children in reception class and school years 1 to 5. Children between six months and two years will receive an injected flu vaccine and those two to 17 years of age usually have the flu vaccine nasal spray. Frontline health and social care
worker? If you are NHS-employed the NHS will pay for your vaccination and if you work for a private company they should do the same.