Cheshire East Council is urging people to get their flu jab as soon as possible because while some people might think flu is a bad cold, flu can lead to serious complications and illness, particularly in winter.
People at increased risk of severe illness if they catch flu are older people, the very young, pregnant women, those with long-term health conditions – particularly chronic respiratory or cardiac disease – and those with a weakened immune system.
Health and social care workers are also urged to protect themselves, as well as their patients and clients, by having the jab.
Councillor Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for communities and health, said: "Flu is a highly-infectious disease and, while most healthy people generally recover within a week, it can lead to serious complications like pneumonia and bronchitis, which require hospital treatment.
"The very young, pregnant women and those with underlying disease are at particular risk of severe illness.
"The best time to have the flu jab is in autumn, before the flu season starts, so please contact your GP as soon as possible to avoid catching it and spreading it to others."
Those eligible to receive a free flu jab on the NHS are:
● People aged 65 or over;
● All pregnant women;
● People living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility;
● Those in receipt of a carer's allowance, or those who are the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill;
● People aged from six months to 65, who have certain medical conditions (including diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, heart problems, chronic neurological diseases and conditions such as Parkinson's, chronic respiratory disease and those with a weakened immune system);
● All two, three and four-year-olds;
● All children in school years 1, 2 and 3.
Dr Guy Hayhurst, a public health consultant at Cheshire East Council, said: "It's very important that people are immunised each year as the flu bug changes every winter and the flu jab protects against the strains that will be circulating.
"Don't delay getting the flu vaccination – speak to your surgery as soon as possible."
Household contacts of anyone who has a weakened immune system are also recommended to have the flu vaccine.
For advice and information about the flu vaccination and whether you are eligible for a free jab, speak to your GP, practice nurse or pharmacist or visit: http://www.nhs.uk/staywell/
