• Flu is a contagious upper and sometimes lower respiratory disease caused by the influenza viruses. • These viruses can cause mild to severe illness and even death. • Flu outbreak can happen every winter as the viruses that cause flu change year on year. • By having a flu vaccine, flu and its symptoms can be prevented.

• Fever • Chills • Headache • Muscle and joint pains • Lethargy • Sore throat • Loss of appetite • Diarrhoea or stomachache • Nausea and vomiting

• From another infected person through coughing, sneezing or talking • By touching objects with the flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or sometimes, eyes.

• Cover the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing • Bin the used tissue immediately after • Washing your hands often

• It is a great way of avoiding catching and spreading the flu • The vaccine helps your body to produce antibodies to fight the virus within 7 to 10 days from being vaccinated • The vaccine is manufactured to work against the three viruses that are most likely to cause flu this year.

• Anyone including healthy people • Serious problems and complications can also happen to any age but there are some risk groups being more vulnerable: • Elderly • Chronic respiratory, heart, kidney and liver disease • Parkinson’s disease • Motor neurone disease • Learning disability • Diabetes • Asplenia or splenic dysfunction • A weakened immune system due to e.g. HIV/AIDS, cancer • Morbidly obese (BMI 40 and above) • Pregnant • Living in long-stay residential care homes/ facilities • Carers

• As listed above • The pharmacist will ask a few questions prior to the vaccination to ensure that it is safe to do so.

• The virus in the vaccine has been inactivated. Hence you cannot catch a flu from the vaccine. • Common side effects: • Slight temperature • Aching muscles for a few days

• About 75% of people who have the vaccine will be prevented from flu this season • About 25% of people will have reduced severity of flu symptoms

• Our fully trained pharmacist in a private treatment room at a time to suit you. • After the injection, you will be seated in the cosy waiting room for at least 10 minutes to ensure that you are feeling well before you leave.