Pensioners and people with medical conditions are being encouraged to get a free seasonal flu vaccination.
GPs across Dorset and the local NHS have joined forces to stress the importance of getting the vaccinations. Everyone eligible for a free jab has received a letter or a phone call from their GP or practitioner to be informed about a free flu vaccination day.
The NHS have given out leaflets and posted information in and around Dorset to target people.
Lisa King, Communications Manager at Bournemouth and Poole NHS, said: “We work with council, and put leaflets in libraries, care homes, people careers or the agencies working with people in need of it, to get the information across.”
Hugh Marsten, Practice Manager from Carlisle House Surgery in Poole, said: “We do flu jabs once per year. However, if someone miss an appointment it is not a problem, we do many reruns.”
Many of those at risk have already had their flu vaccination. Constance Kenzie and her husband Reginald were contacted by their GP weeks ago. “We both had flu jabs as we do
every year. We believe that is a great protection against flu and we never had any concerns according to the vaccination.”
Alternative private practices such a Boots Pharmacies offer flu jabs for £12.99 in case anyone misses an appointment with their GP.
Nigel Palmer, a Poole Boots’ Pharmacist, commented: “I would always recommend to have one of them done regardless of age. It doesn’t work on everybody, but will definitely help to fight with the flu.”
NHS campaigns, the public still has concerns about the flu jabs and their effectiveness. Poole pensioner, Beatrice Smith, said: “I would never get the flu jab. Most of the time they are totally unnecessary and useless – there are loads of different strains of flu, and there’s no one universal vaccine that protects against them all.”
