NHS Western Isles Board members encourage local people to protect themselves against flu

NHS Western Isles Chair and Chief Executive, Neil Galbraith and Gordon Jamieson, are urging people in the Western Isles in the ‘at risk’ groups to take up the offer of their annual flu jab.

Both Mr Galbraith and Mr Jamieson have had the flu jab this year, and are encouraging others to do so.

The key target groups that are eligible for the jab are: people aged 65 and over; under 65s with existing long-term medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis and other heart, lung and liver diseases; pregnant women; unpaid carers of any age and NHS workers.

Mr Jamieson said: “Flu is a serious illness and the vaccination is the most effective protection from it, including the swine flu virus. People in the ‘at-risk’ groups can be hit harder with the flu and suffer more complications.

“Members of Western Isles Health Board are strongly urging those in the ‘at risk’ groups to make an appointment with their GP to get the free jab. The vaccine doesn’t contain live viruses, so doesn’t give you the flu and it only takes a few minutes to get, yet lasts for around a year.”

He added: “NHS Western Isles cannot function without its staff, so we’re also issuing a rallying call to all our staff (particularly those working directly with patients) to protect themselves and their patients by getting the annual flu vaccination. Our staff can act as ‘barriers’ to the flu by keeping themselves protected, so they’re not passing on the virus on to sick patients, who are already vulnerable due to illness.”

This year’s flu vaccine protects against three types of flu including the swine flu strain, which is still circulating. It takes about 10 days for you to be protected against the flu after having the jab so it’s best to get it as early as possible in flu season (from October onwards).

If you are confused about whether you eligible for the vaccine, or would like to find out more information about it, contact NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88 or log on to www.immunisationscotland.org.uk for further information on the immunisation programme.

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