Take a jab like Sir 'Enry to beat flu (From Penarth Times)

Take a jab like Sir 'Enry to beat flu

WHAT do Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave, former All Saints singer Shaznay Lewis and veteran boxer Sir Henry Cooper have in common?

The answer is that they're all probably eligible for a free flu jab this winter.

The Department of Health reckons they are among many millions of people at risk from complications caused by flu - complications which could even land them in hospital.

But why are they eligible? Well, Sir Henry is entitled because of his age - all people 65 and over may now get the jab free of charge by visiting their GP.

But how about the other two who are both under the age of 65? Well, they are both at risk from complications. Shaznay Lewis is an asthmatic, while Sir Steve is a diabetic.

And the chances are there are many people in the Vale who are eligible, like Shaznay and Sir Steve, but just don't know it.

Because of this, Sir Henry Cooper is fronting a nationwide campaign aimed at publicising the availability of flu jabs.

Who wants to be confined to their bed for days on end with flu when they don't have to be - especially if it leads to complications?

To be eligible for a free jab you need to be either 65 or over or have the following: Chronic heart disease. A chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma or bronchitis. Chronic kidney disease. Diabetes millitus. HIV/AIDS. Free jabs are also available for people living in nursing homes or other long stay care homes and people whose immune systems are weakened due to illness or treatment, such as those undergoing chemotherapy.

The Department of Health has set its sights on increasing the number of older people receiving the vaccine this year from 60 percent to 65 percent of everyone aged 65 and over.

Almost 11.5 million doses of vaccine will be available from GP surgeries and health centres throughout October and November.

Flu is one of the most common causes of winter illness. In the last few years it has also arrived in December, just in time to affect people during the festive season.

Contracted through coughs and sneezes from people who are already infected, it is a highly infectious virus which spreads very rapidly, causing symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, aching muscles, coughs and sore throats. For most people a bout of flu means a few days in bed but for some it can be a lot more serious.

It tends to take older people much longer to recover and there is a much greater likelihood that flu will lead to serious or even fatal complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

People with chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease or any kind of breathing problems can also be very seriously affected.

Sir Steve said: "Flu doesn't care how fit you are, so thankfully for most people it's just a nasty virus that lays you low for a few days. But for people like me with diabetes it can develop into potentially fatal complications."

One common myth is that you can catch flu from the jab itself. This is not possible. The viruses in the vaccine are killed and purified. Whilst it cannot give you flu, it does trigger your immune system to produce the antibodies you need to fight off the real thing.

The vaccine takes effect within a week and will protect you for a year.

Further information from NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or via website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk