The arrival of flu season is always the best time to speak to your local pharmacy about a private vaccination to protect you and your family from the potentially serious side effects of the virus. Lindsay & Gilmour offer a convenient, walk-in or appointment service for a range of vaccinations to help keep your health on track all year round.
What if I get some nasty side effects?
Have you found yourself asking either of those questions when considering getting the flu vaccination this year? If so, we would urge you to think again.
Most people will get over flu in about a week but for young children, the elderly and people with certain medical conditions, e.g. asthma and diabetes flu can be very serious. If you are over 65, pregnant, suffer from a medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, are diabetic, have a lowered immunity, e.g. cancer, are on steroids or had your spleen removed you will be eligible for the
free NHS Flu Vaccination.If you do not fall in to any of these categories or,
even if you do but you would rather not wait for an appointment, we would urge you to pop in to one of our flu clinics for a simple flu vaccination while you wait or at a time that suits you.
If you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine, we would ask you to have a chat with one of our pharmacists because, even for otherwise fit and healthy people, the symptoms of flu can be much worse than the common cold and last longer.
To tackle another myth, serious side effects of the injected flu vaccine are very rare. You may have a mild fever and aching muscles for a couple of days after having the vaccine, and your arm may be a bit sore where you were injected. Side effects of the nasal spray vaccine may commonly include a runny or blocked nose, headache, tiredness and some loss of appetite.
Studies have shown that the flu vaccine will help prevent you getting the flu. It won't stop all flu viruses and the level of protection may vary, so it's not a 100% guarantee that you'll be flu-free, but if you do get flu after vaccination it's likely to be milder and shorter-lived than it would otherwise have been. There is also evidence to suggest that the flu vaccine can reduce your risk of having a stroke.
So, why not give us a call or pop in to your nearest flu clinic and help arm yourself and your family against the flu this Winter.
For more information on the Flu Vaccine please
see here
