Ruddington Medical Centre is advising its patients who need to be vaccinated against the influenza virus that you can book yourself in from this week.
It warns: “Flu is an unpredictable virus that can cause mild or unpleasant illness in most people. It can cause severe illness and even death among vulnerable groups including older people, pregnant women and people with an underlying health condition. Certain people are more likely to develop potentially serious complications of flu, such as bronchitis and pneumonia and these people are advised to have a flu jab each year.”
However the statement adds: “For otherwise healthy people, flu can be very unpleasant, but most people will recover within a week or two.”
If you’re aged 65 and over, appointments this year are available from Thursday 26th September. For patients aged under 65, appointments are from Monday 14th October. The later date is apparently due to the World Health Organisation not releasing the flu strain used for those under 65 until then.
To be eligible for a FREE flu vaccination, you need to be in one of the following groups:
- over 65
- liver problems
- coeliac
- asthma/COPD
- carer
- splenectomy
- kidney problems
- immunosuppressed
- sickle cell
- heart problems/stroke
- diabetes
Those eligible for a FREE inoculation are advised they will need to BOOK their appointment this year, because no ‘drop-in’ sessions will be held at Ruddington Medical Centre, as there were previously.
If you’re registered with Church House Surgery on Shaw Street, you can contact them on 0115 984 7101 to book your flu vaccination there.
A third option is to visit Ruddington’s Evans Pharmacy (now on Charles Street) which also offers free flu vaccinations under the NHS for those who are eligible. These can also be pre-booked – or even offered as a walk-in service subject to the availability of staff and vaccines.
{Some information above is courtesy of Ruddington Parish Council}
