Flu occurs every year, usually in the winter, which is why it’s sometimes called seasonal flu. It’s a highly infectious disease with symptoms that come on very quickly. Colds are much less serious and usually start gradually with a stuffy or runny nose and a sore throat. A bad bout of flu can be much worse than a heavy cold.
The most common symptoms of flu are fever, chills, headache, aches and pains in the joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness. Healthy individuals usually recover within two to seven days, but for some the disease can lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability or even death.
The leaflet below explains how you can help protect yourself and your children against flu this coming winter, and why it’s very important that people who are at increased risk from flu have their free vaccination every year.
Why porcine-gelatine is used in vaccines
Protecting Your Child Against Flu Leaflet
NOTE:
Children aged 4 to 9 years old that are healthy (i.e not in clinical risk group) should have their flu vaccination at school. The nurse will however see the child if they have missed it at school.