HEALTH BOSSES are urging people to get vaccinated with the flu jab as winter rolls around.

Flu can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as pneumonia and the best way to avoid catching it is by having the vaccination before the flu season starts.

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Bracknell News:

Jo Greengrass, Associate Director for Nursing and Quality, from the East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (EBCCGs), said: “Getting your flu vaccine is easy. Simply call and book an appointment with your doctor, midwife or pharmacy.

“If you have a long term condition such as asthma, diabetes, a neurological disease or chronic liver, kidney or lung disease, or indeed if you are pregnant, then protecting yourself against flu is vital.

“Flu can also be serious for young children and because they mix with so many family members they are called ‘superspreaders’.

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“For these reasons, we feel it is really important for them to be vaccinated to protect themselves and those around them.”

A number of people are eligible for the free flu vaccination, and clinics are being offered at GP surgeries across East Berkshire.

Bracknell News:

Those who are eligible for the free vaccine include:

  • All children aged two to ten (but not eleven years or older) on 31 August 2019
  • Pregnant women
  • Those aged 65 and over
  • Those in long-stay residential care homes
  • Carers
  • Healthcare workers
  • People with learning disabilities and their carers
  • Those aged six months to under 65 years of age with a serious medical condition

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If patients do not fall within these groups, they can still pay for them at their local pharmacist.