Flu Vacination

Before you are given the vaccination you will be asked to complete a pre-vaccination questionnaire which ensures that you are not allergic to any of the components in the actual vaccine and are not currently suffering from a significant infection.

The vaccination is not available from your pharmacist to patients under 18 or to pregnant or breastfeeding women.

The actual vaccination will be carried out in a private consultation room by a fully trained pharmacist.

Most people do not experience any adverse after-effects, however if you do have a sore arm after the vaccination apply a cold flannel to it and if necessary take painkillers.

Similarly if you have a headache or a slight fever drink plenty of water and take painkillers which will also lower your temperature. In both cases the effects are generally self-limiting but if they do persist you should seek medical attention.

Symptoms

Flu symptoms are often confused with those of a cold and many people often incorrectly refer to a heavy cold as flu. Viruses cause them both, but flu affects the lungs much more than a cold which tends to cause more nasal congestion and is over in a matter of days, compared with flu from which patients may take weeks to recover.

Typical flu symptoms

  • High temperature
  • Sweating and feeling feverish/shivering
  • Headache
  • Aching limbs
  • General tiredness
  • Sore throat with a dry cough

Typical cold symptoms

  • Runny nose and congestion
  • sneezing
  • headache
  • chesty cough

Flu differs from other respiratory infections in the severity of its symptoms and the potential it has of causing serious life-threatening complications such as pneumonia, organ failure and exacerbation of other existing conditions.

Do I have to have the vaccination every year?
Yes, because each year there are different strains of the virus which cause the infection and so the vaccines have to be adaped every year to target that particular strain.

Will the flu vaccine give me flu?
No, the vaccination does not cause flu. Some people may experience a mild reaction to the jab but this only lasts a day or two.

I had the flu vaccine last year but still caught flu, why is that?
The flu jav is designed to protect you from the most common forms of flu, and is the best protection available. Overall, in years when the vaccine and circulating viruses are well-matched, influenza vaccines can be expected to reduce laboratory-confirmed influenza by approximately 70%-90% in healthy adults under the age of 65. Having the vaccination will significantly reduce your chance of getting flu.

Can I have the flu jab if I'm pregnant?
Flu vaccine is available for pregnant women.
However, unfortunately pregnant women cannot be vaccinated under the protocols of this service in pharmacy. You would need to discuss your situation with your GP who may be able to offer you the vaccine.

Can I have the flu jab if I'm breast feeding?
Similarly, the terms of the pharmacy service do not allow this but you should discuss your situation with your GP who may be able to offer you the vaccination.

Will the vaccination offer protection against swine flu?
No, the vaccination you receive is for seasonal flu and only offers protection against this year's seasonal strain. For information about swine flu vaccination please visit www.nhs.co.uk or www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu

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