Winter  2010

Seasonal flu occurs every year, usually in the winter. It is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus and it is important that people who are at risk have their free seasonal flu jab every year.

All people aged over 65 qualify for a free jab. Additionally, adults and children aged 6 months to 65 years with the following conditions are deemed and risk and should contact their GP for a free jab:

·        Chronic respiratory disease, including asthma

·        Chronic heart disease

·        Chronic renal disease

·        Chronic liver disease

·        Diabetes requiring insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs

·        Immunosuppression

·        Women who are pregnant

-       Other groups eligible for the seasonal flu jab include:

·        Those who live in a residential or nursing home

·        The main carers of elderly or disabled people

·        Healthcare or social care professionals directly involved  in patient care

·        Poultry workers

People who had the seasonal flu vaccination last year will need a new seasonal flu jab this winter.

Don’t wait until there is a flu outbreak this winter: contact your GP or practice nurse to get your free seasonal flu jab now.

You can find out more about seasonal flu by visiting www.nhs.uk/flu

Pandemic flu plans

NHS Suffolk is a member of Suffolk Resilence, which has in place comprehensive plans for any threat of pandemic flu. 

Please click here to take a look at the Suffolk Resilience Multi-agency Pandemic Influenza Plan

You can also view NHS East of England's Pandemic Flu Plan and more about Emergency Planning by clicking on this link.