While many of us may not be ready to put away our shorts and flip flops quite yet, we’re looking ahead to the winter and how we can all best protect ourselves.
Every year we offer free flu vaccinations and this year is no different – we’ve invested in 900 flu vaccinations this year which will be on offer from Carnival House to all of us between 11 and 22 October. To book your free flu vaccination click here.
If you’d prefer to arrange your own flu vaccination off site we’ll also be offering to cover the cost of it up to the value of £15. To find out how to claim back your flu vaccination costs, click here.
So, why would you have the flu vaccine?
Flu can be very unpleasant, but for most people it usually clears up within a week; however there are some groups of people who are more vulnerable and therefore more susceptible to serious complications including children, older people, pregnant women and those with an underlying medical health condition. The Flu vaccine is the best protection we have against this unpredictable virus.
Studies have shown that the flu vaccine will help prevent you getting the flu. It will not stop all flu viruses and the level of protection may vary, so it’s not a 100% guarantee that you’ll be flu-free. But if you do get flu after vaccination, it’s likely to be milder and shorter-lived than it would otherwise have been.
The flu vaccine is recommended for all pregnant women, regardless of the stage of pregnancy. It’s also important to have the vaccination if you are a carer.
How safe is the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine has been thoroughly tested and has a good safety record. Most adults can have the flu vaccine, but speak to the nurse if you have had a serious reaction to the vaccine in the past.
Possible side effects
Side effects from the flu vaccine are rare but you may experience a mild fever and aching muscles for a couple of days after having the vaccine, and your arm may be a bit sore where you were injected.
Why not make sure you and those around you are protected by taking advantage of this opportunity while it’s here?