With Covid-19 in general circulation, it’s more important than ever to stop the spread of flu and reduce pressure on the NHS.
Zoe McKechnie is one of Sirona care & health’s community nursing administration coordinators but she is also a mum to two disabled children.
If her children were to get the flu, it could be fatal.
I have two disable children who both have a muscle condition called spinal muscular atrophy. My children don’t have strong breathing muscles, when they get any respiratory illness they end up struggling for breath.
Why should you be vaccinated?
- Catching flu can be serious. On average more than 11,000 people die each year from flu. Some years it’s many more. Many people are hospitalised every year
- You can have flu without any symptoms and pass it on to family, friends and patients – and they may be at increased risk from flu
- Being healthy doesn’t reduce your risk of getting flu or passing it on
- If you’ve had COVID-19, it’s safe to have the flu vaccine. It’ll be effective at helping to prevent flu.
Where can I get the flu vaccine?
- Your GP surgery
- A pharmacy offering the service
- Your midwifery service if you’re pregnant
All adult flu vaccines are given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm. For more information about the flu vaccine head to the NHS website.
What about my children?
This year the vaccination programme will include reception year through to year 7 children. It’s free and will be given by a quick and simple spray up the nose.
