Free flu vaccinations for patients with long term conditions

Patients living with a long term condition such as diabetes, asthma or a heart condition are urged to have a free NHS flu vaccination to keep them well this winter.

These patients - including children and adults - are more at risk of the complications of flu which could result in a stay in hospital or even death.

Dr Ed Capo-Bianco, Urgent Care Lead at Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It’s very important that patients who have an underlying health condition don’t delay and have a free flu vaccination at their GP practice or a pharmacist.”

Ed said: “Healthy individuals usually recover within two to seven days from flu, but for some, especially those with a long term condition the illness can lead to a stay in hospital, permanent disability or even death.”

You are eligible for the free flu vaccine if you have the following conditions:

• Heart problem

• Chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or severe asthma

• Kidney disease

• Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)

• Liver diseaseo stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

• Diabetes

• Neurological condition e.g. multiple sclerosis

• Morbid obesity (BMI over 40)

• Cerebral palsy or a learning disability.

You can watch a short video of an Oxfordshire patient who has diabetes, urging eligible people to have a free NHS flu vaccination:

Who else is eligible for an NHS flu vaccination?

People aged over 65, pregnant women, children in primary school and youngsters aged 2 and 3 years old.

For more information on the NHS flu vaccination visit http://www.oxfordshireccg.nhs.uk/