Now’s the time to get your flu jab warns local MP
AWOKINGHAM borough MP is urging residents to make sure all those who are eligible sign up for their free winter flu vaccine.
Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell, whose constituency covers Finchampstead and Crowthorne, received his flu vaccination last month and is now encouraging others to follow suit.
Those eligible for the free NHS vaccine are those:
Aged 65 or over by 31 March 2018
Aged from 6 months to 65 years with a serious medical condition
Women who are pregnant
Children aged two to nine on 31 August 2016
Living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities
In receipt of a carer’s allowance, or who are the main carer of an older or disabled person
Whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.
In addition, the
Government is making the vaccine available free to all NHS staff, and NHS England is offering it free to more than one million care-home workers.
Dr Lee said, “There has been a serious outbreak of flu in Australia this year and we want as many people to be as protected as possible. The best way to avoid catching and spreading flu is by having the vaccination before the flu season starts.”
The most common symptoms of flu are fever, chills, headache, extreme tiredness and aches and pains in the joints and muscles.
Healthy individuals usually recover within a week, but for some the disease can be more serious.
“If you do get the flu,” Dr Lee added, “Make sure you rest, drink plenty of fluids and eat healthily.
“Also, taking over-thecounter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce any fever or discomfort, can also help.
“However, please remember that Flu is caused by viruses and not bacteria. Therefore, antibiotics will not help to treat it.”