At-risk patients
• All patients aged 65 years and over
• Pregnant women
• Healthcare workers
• Carers
• Patients with long term health conditions such as chronic heart disease, chronic liver disease, chronic renal failure, chronic respiratory disease including COPD, Cystic fibrosis and asthma, chronic neurological disease, diabetes mellitus, Down Syndrome, morbid obesity, Haemoglobinopathies , immunosuppression due to disease or treatment.
• People with regular contact with pigs, poultry or water fowl.
Influenza is highly contagious. The virus is spread by coughing or sneezing. A person can spread the virus from 1-2 days before they develop symptoms and for up to a week after symptoms develop.
Symptoms of the flu
· Sudden temperature
· Headache
· Chills
· Sore throat
· Muscle pain
· Non-productive dry cough
Flu Vaccine
The Flu Vaccine is now available in all our Johnston’s Pharmacy stores.
The vaccine efficacy is lower in elderly patients, with the flu vaccine providing between 70 % and 90% protection in those aged under 65 years. Protection lasts for one year with annual vaccination is recommended.
The Flu vaccine will be made free this year to everyone in an at risk group
How does the flu vaccine work?
Flu vaccines cause the body’s immune system to produce antibodies to attack the flu virus.
Antibodies recognise and fight off germs that the body has been exposed to e.g. viruses. When
someone who has been vaccinated with the flu vaccine comes into contact with the flu virus, the
immune system recognises the virus and the antibodies fight the virus. It can take up to 10 - 14 days for these antibodies to develop in the body, so customers should be advised that it can take about two weeks for immunity to develop in the body after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.
Are there any side effects from the Flu Vaccine?
The most common side effects are localised pain and inflammation around the injection site. This can be minimised by applying pressure after vaccination. Painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can help treat these side effects.
As with all vaccination, there can be risk of an allergic reaction, if you have an allergy to the vaccine or any of its constituents. If you suffer from an egg allergy, you can still get the vaccine but will be required to be vaccinated by your GP.
Symptoms of allergic and anaphylaxis
Very rarely, a reaction can occur if you have an allergy to the vaccine or any of its excipients. We recommend for you to stay in the pharmacy or around the area for 10 minutes after vaccination, in case any reaction was to occur. Reaction can occur within seconds or minutes after exposure. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction, requiring treatment with an Adrenaline Epi-pen.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis:
· Difficulty breathing , shortness of breath
· Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
· Dizziness , fainting
· Skin rashes, hives
· Nausea, vomiting