Tag Archives: Flu

It might not be the time of year you want to think about getting a flu jab, but the NHS’ plans are well advanced for this winter’s immunisation programme.

For residents in England, the good news is that once again you will be able to get a flu jab at your local pharmacy – no appointment necessary!

The national flu immunisation programme is being extended to children in a phased roll-out. As well as all two to four year olds, in 2016-17 the vaccine will additionally be offered to all children of school year 3 age. Children of school years 1 and 2 age will remain eligible.

The NHS hopes that the children’s programme, once fully implemented, will avert many cases of severe flu and flu-related deaths in older adults and others in ‘at risk’ groups.

Provisional data show that in 2015/16 the vaccine was well matched to the circulating strains of flu. Throughout the past decade, there has generally been a good match between the strains of flu in the vaccine and those that subsequently circulated.

Flu vaccination remains the best way to protect people from flu. Remember that come the autumn.

There are two types of flu vaccine available for children in – a nasal spray and an injected vaccine, so who should get which?

• Children under 6 months are too young to be vaccinated (although expectant mothers aren’t!)
• Children aged 6 months to 2 years get the injected vaccine – two doses four weeks apart – although they are only eligible if they are in an ‘at risk’ group
• All children aged 2-6 on 31 August 2015 are all eligible flu vaccine and should get the nasal spray unless there are medical reasons (severely asthmatic or immunocompromised) for giving them an injected flu vaccine.
• Children aged 7-17 are eligible for vaccination if they are in an ‘at risk’ group, and will usually get the nasal spray.

At risk children are those with long term health conditions such as asthma and other respiratory diseases, liver, kidney and neurological conditions including learning disabilities, even if well managed.

Ask one of our pharmacists if you are not sure.

The NHS seasonal flu vaccination campaign kicked off in September and for the first time community pharmacies across England can offer the jab on the NHS to eligible patients.

You are eligible for flu vaccination if you are:

• aged 65 years and over ( or reach 65 by 31 March 2016);
• a pregnant woman
• a carer
• aged 18-65 with a long term medical condition (eg asthma, COPD, heart failure, a weakened immune system)

So if you are eligible, check us out. Rakesh Patel from Ackers Chemists talks about how to access your jab below: