Flu vaccination campaign to target vulnerable patients

Free jabs are available to those who are 65 or over, have a serious medical condition, are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person, work with poultry, or are pregnant and not vaccinated against swine flu.

The NHS North Yorkshire and York associate director of public health, Dr Phil Kirby, said: "Our GP practices are now inviting people to come forward to receive their seasonal flu jabs. The campaign targets people who are most at risk from the effects of seasonal flu.

"For most people, flu is not a serious illness. The body normally fights off the infection without medical treatment and symptoms usually clear within four to 10 days with plenty of liquids and bed rest.

"For some people flu can have serious consequences and by getting vaccinated they can help protect themselves from the illness.

"The vaccine does not contain a live virus so it cannot give you the flu. I would encourage all those eligible for a free vaccine to make sure they get it."

The primary care trust says this year, for the first time, all pregnant women will also be offered the seasonal flu vaccination as a matter of course. This is because it protects against the H1N1 virus – swine flu – which will still be circulating this winter.

Pregnant women who catch this strain are at an increased risk of disease and flu-related hospital admissions.

Dr Kirby added: "We would also encourage all pregnant women to make sure they get the jab. It is extremely important to protect yourself and your baby against all strains of flu."

The best way to avoid flu is to get immunised, but in addition, people can protect themselves by practising good hand hygiene with the 'catch it, bin it, kill it' technique.

This means carrying tissues, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, disposing of the tissue after one use and cleaning hands as soon as possible with soap and water or an alcohol hand gel.

The swine flu vaccine is now contained within this year's seasonal flu vaccination.