Get Your Free Flu Jab

Wandsworth residents at greatest risk from flu are being urged to get vaccination

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Flu is a highly contagious virus that anyone can catch and it can be a really serious illness for some people.

Children aged 2-3 and those in reception class and school years one, two three and four are eligible for the free flu vaccination. For children, it’s not an injection but a simple, painless nasal spray.

If your children are aged 2 and 3 their nasal spray vaccine is available through your GP – contact your GP surgery to make an appointment.

School children in reception class through to year 4 will be offered their nasal spray vaccine through their school. Forms will be sent home to parents. If your child is absent, or you did not return the consent form, you can still get the vaccination at catch-up clinics every Wednesday in November and December. Find out more online or contact the immunisation team at wpctimms@nhs.net .

Free flu jabs are also available for people with long term health conditions, people who have a suppressed immune system, pregnant women and everyone aged over 65. People in receipt of a carer’s allowance are also eligible for a free flu jab to help them protect the people they care for.

The council and the Wandsworth Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) made up of local GPs are supporting this year’s Stay Well This Winter campaign.

Wandsworth Council’s Director of Public Health, Houda Al-Sharifi, said: “Getting a flu vaccination is one of the best ways to keep well and healthy during the winter months. It’s quick, free and can be done by your GP, midwife or some pharmacies. Get the vaccination and protect yourself and your loved ones.”

Dr Nicola Jones, local Wandsworth GP and Chair of Wandsworth CCG, said. "Flu can be a really unpleasant illness in children as they suffer the same symptoms as adults including fever, chills and aching muscles. The flu vaccination will help protect your child from flu as well as reducing the chance of flu spreading to other members of the family.

Find out more about flu vaccinations in Wandsworth, including the child catch-up clinics, at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/flu.

November 2, 2017