Lifestyle Pharmacy's private seasonal Flu vaccination service is now running and is the ideal way to protect yourself and your family this winter. Injections are available for £10 for those aged 9 and over and a new nasal spray influenza vaccine (Fluenz Tetra®) is now available for children and young people aged 5 to 17 and priced at £30. Call 01225 465576 to book an appointment. New for 2015, we can now provide NHS-funded vaccinations to those over 18 in at risk categories, including Asthma, Diabetes and many others. Read on to find out more… What is Influenza (flu)? Flu is an infectious viral illness that typically affects people in the winter months. It is spread by coughing and sneezing and is characterised by a range of symptoms. Flu can causea sudden high temperature, headache and general aches and pains, tiredness and asore throat. Youcanalso lose your appetite, feel nauseous and havea cough. Flu symptoms can make you feel so exhausted and unwell that you haveto stay in bed and restuntil you feelbetter. Find out more about seasonal flu here. It is generally more troublesome than a common cold and the after effects can last much longer, leaving sufferers feeling drained and fatigued for weeks. How does vaccination reduce the risk of catching Flu? A seasonal flu vaccination stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies, so that the immune response is much quicker when the immune system is exposed to the virus again. It’s not possible to catch a cold or the flu from a vaccine, although it can leave people feeling like they have mild ‘flu-like’ symptoms for a day or so after vaccination. Is vaccination available for free on the NHS? If you or a member of your family are in an at risk group you may be entitled to a seasonal flu vaccination for free on the NHS, these include: Those aged 65 or over Those with underlying long-term health problems (such as respiratory illness or heart problems) Children and adults with weakened immune systems Pregnant women In addition, all children aged up to the age of 5 will be given a flu vaccination eitther by injection or nasal spray and those in at-risk groups up to the age of 18 will also be offered a vaccination. What about those not eligible for free vaccination on the NHS? The Lifestyle Pharmacy seasonal flu vaccination service is a available to those who are ineligible for the NHS service or simply want a more convenient appointment time and/or location. Under our service, anyone aged 9 and over can be vaccinated by injection unless they are: Allergic to eggs, latex or any of the vaccine constituents Taking Warfarin Undergoing chemotherapy Currently suffering from liver disease, kidney disease, immunodeficieny disorder or bleeding disorder Currently suffering from an acute viral illness with a temperature (mild colds/sore throats are ok) Pregnant or Breastfeeding Can under 9’s receive a vaccination? This year we have introduced a private seasonal flu nasal spray vaccination service for children and young people aged 5 to 17. It is administered as a single dose for those aged 9 and over or for children under 9 who have had a previous seasonal flu vaccination. Children under 9 who have never had a flu vaccination will require 2 doses, 4 weeks apart. Parent/guardian consent and presence is required for all children under 16. We regret that children under 9 are not currently eligible for vaccination by injection under our service. How much does the service cost? Vaccination by injection is £10. Vaccination for children and young people by Fluenz Tetra® nasal spray is £30 per dose. Who administers the vaccination? Both the injection and nasal spray vaccination are administered in the private consultation room by specially-trained and experienced Pharmacists. Are there any side effects? Like all medicines, both the injection and nasal spray vaccinations can have side effects but not everyone will get them. Side effects are generally mild and gone within 48 hours. Common injection side effects include soreness, redness and muscular ache at the injection site. The nasal spray may cause a runny or stuffy nose, reduced appetite and weakness. Both routes of administration can result in short-term muscular aches and ‘flu-like’ symptoms. Serious allergic reactions are very rare (1 in 1,000,000) but just in case, Pharmacists undertake specialist anaphylaxis training to deal with emergencies. Is more information available? Speak to a member of the team on 01225 465576 to book an appointment for you or your child. Further info about the flu vaccination is available here from NHS Choices. Dispel common flu jab myths here. For nasal spray info visit www.sharegoodtimesnotflu.co.uk