It’s not too late to protect yourself from flu

Health bosses are urging those most at risk of flu to get their free vaccination after evidence from Public Health England suggests that ‘flu activity is increasing in the local area.

Dr Damian Riley, Medical Director at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said:

Surveillance has shown that the number of people catching flu in the North West and elsewhere in the country is starting to increase.

Our concern is that key groups such as young children, pregnant women, those aged over 65 and people with long term health conditions who are at greater risk of becoming seriously unwell if they catch flu, may not have had their vaccine yet.  This is really the best protection against flu and I would urge everyone in these ‘at risk’ groups who has not had their jab to get it as soon as possible.

I would also ask that people who are suffering with flu-like symptoms stay away from visiting any relatives or friends who are in hospital, since we want to keep the risk of flu inside the hospital to a minimum.

The quick and simple flu jab is the best protection from the virus and will help reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and even death amongst those most at risk and is free to those in the ‘at risk’ groups.

In addition to having a flu jab, maintaining good cough and hand hygiene – such as covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, disposing of the tissue as soon as possible and cleaning your hands as soon as you can will also help prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of transmission.