The 'flu' season begins around October time. Flu is a very contagious infection, which can cause serious illness among people aged over 65 years, or those of any age with particular medical conditions. Levels of 'flu' infection rise during the winter months. The best way to protect yourself against 'flu' is by having the 'flu' jab every year.

The following groups come in to have their flu jab:

• Patients aged 65 & over
• Patients aged 18--‐64 in at risk group
• Pregnant women
• People living in long stay residential homes
• People in receipt of a carers allowance or main carer of an older or disabled person.
• Household contact of immunocompromised individuals
• All those at risk who are between 17 and 18 years of age
• People aged 2-17 where Fluenz is contra-indicated or refused
• Front line healthcare workers
• NHSE staff
• PHE staff

Everybody aged 65 and over should now be immunised to help protect them against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis. Please phone the surgery during September to make an appointment if the above applies to you.