The seasonal flu vaccination is available for anyone in the seasonal flu ‘at risk’ groups, which includes pregnant women and those with chronic conditions such as heart and kidney disease, asthma and diabetes, the over 65s, as these people are more likely to develop complications if they catch the flu.  Anyone in these groups that has not yet had their jab is urged to contact their GP practice to make an appointment as soon as possible.

The free seasonal flu jab contains a vaccine to protect against the latest flu strains, which this year include swine flu and influenza B.  It is not currently recommended for healthy children under the age of five.

Kathy Wakefield, Infection Control Lead at NHS Rotherham, said: “Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to serious illness or even death.  Anyone can get flu, but some groups are more vulnerable than others, and are more at risk of developing complications as a result of the flu.  I strongly recommend that those over 65, pregnant women, and people who are in an at risk group contact their GP or practice nurse now, to ensure they are given their seasonal flu vaccination.  This year a number of pharmacies are also able to offer free flu vaccine to those patients in at-risk groups, so ask your local pharmacist if they are participating in this scheme.”

Over Christmas and New Year health services were inundated with patients presenting with coughs, colds and flu-like symptoms, despite advice to stay at home and self-treat.

Coughs, colds and flu are caused by viruses which are not treatable with antibiotics.  The advice to anyone suffering from these ailments is to stay home, keep warm and use over the counter remedies containing paracetemol.

Anyone wanting to seek medical advice, including pregnant women should to contact their pharmacist who will be able to advise the most appropriate over the counter medicine.  Under the Pharmacy First scheme, run by Rotherham GPs and pharmacists, patients can be prescribed medicine without visiting their GP practice.  Patients who receive free prescriptions will receive their medicine free of charge and those who pay will only pay the cost of the medicine, not the prescription charge. There are more than 20 conditions covered by the scheme including coughs and colds, alongside other conditions such as fever in children, dermatitis, head lice, cystitis and diarrhoea.

Across Rotherham there are a number of pharmacies that operate extended hours, providing access to a pharmacist during evenings and weekends. For more information on pharmacies, including finding your nearest out of hours pharmacy, visit the services section or the seasonal flu section.

Kathy Wakefield, added: “For most healthy people, flu remains an unpleasant but mild illness and generally they will recover in a few days after getting lots of rest, drinking plenty of fluids and using over-the-counter remedies such as paracetamol.*

“If symptoms show no signs of improvement after five days or are getting worse, then you should contact NHS Direct or your GP practice by telephone and don’t attend Accident and Emergency or the Walk-in Centre unless it is an emergency or you are told to do so by a healthcare professional.”

If you have friends or relatives in hospital, you are advised not to visit unless necessary, as you increase the risk of passing any infections such as flu or diarrhea/vomiting that you might be carrying to already sick and vulnerable people.

*Pregnant women are advised to discuss with the pharmacist before taking the usual flu remedies.