Health leaders encourage Sheffield residents to have flu vaccination

Residents in Sheffield who are eligible for a free flu vaccine are being encouraged to take up the offer to stop the spread of the disease this winter.
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Dr Zak McMurray, a GP and Medical Director at NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “For most healthy people, flu symptoms can make you feel exhausted and unwell and you have to stay in bed and rest until you get better, but for people with underlying health conditions, people with learning disabilities, pregnant women or the elderly flu can be very serious.

“It’s really important that if you are eligible for a free flu vaccine you take up the offer. It is offered to these vulnerable groups of people because we know that they need it to stay well during the flu season. This year with covid-19 still circulating, it is more important than ever that people have their vaccination. If you get flu and covid at the same time, research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill. Having your vaccination will help to reduce pressure on the NHS and social care staff who may be dealing with covid-19.”

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All adults over the age of 65, pregnant women, children aged two and three years old on August 31, people aged six months to 64 years with underlying health conditions or those with a learning disability are all eligible for free flu vaccinations. These groups are at particular risk from flu and the vaccination is still the best protection against an unpredictable virus.

Social care and hospice workers are also eligible and vaccinations will be available through community pharmacy or their registered GP.

This year, people who live with someone who had to shield during covid-19 will also be eligible to have a free vaccine to protect the person who had to shield.

If you are eligible for a free flu vaccination your GP will contact you.

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Greg Fell, Director of Public Health at Sheffield City Council, said: “This year it is especially important that as many people as possible access the flu vaccine as soon as they can.

"Currently we have both the flu virus and covid-19 in circulation, which makes immunisation more important than ever in helping to reduce infections to protect each other, our families, our communities and ultimately, to save lives."