It’s not too late to get your flu vaccination

People who are eligible for a free annual flu vaccination are being urged not to delay as the cold weather continues to increase the risks associated with the illness.

Free flu vaccinations are available on the NHS to people aged 65 or over, pregnant women and people with serious long-term health conditions, particularly chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease, or those who have a weakened immune system.

Parents of children aged 2 to 4 years-old are also reminded that their youngsters are eligible to receive the free nasal spray vaccination.

Dr Martin Writer, an Eastbourne GP and chair of Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Flu is a very serious illness that kills many thousands of people each year. There are certain groups of people that are very vulnerable to catching flu. We know that we can prevent an awful lot of people from catching flu by vaccination.

“Pregnant women seem to be particularly vulnerable – so it’s very important for them to get vaccinated.

“The eligibility for young children to receive a free vaccination has been extended because children are often the people that spread flu – they are the people that give their granny flu, or their pregnant mum flu. So by vaccinating children through a nasal spray, we can prevent them catching flu and from spreading flu

“The risk from the flu jab is negligible, but the risk of catching flu for a pregnant woman or any of the other at-risk groups is very significant.”

You can receive your vaccination at your GP surgery and some pharmacists also offer the service.