The Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, is backing a vaccination campaign to protect people in Merseyside against the flu.
All pregnant women, residents of all ages with a health condition and everyone aged 65 and over are urged to contact their GP now to get a free flu jab. A free flu nasal spray is also being offered to children aged 2, 3 and 4 years old through their GP to protect them.
Mayor Anderson said: “Flu can be very nasty and can be a killer for some people. I got my flu jab because I want to stay fit and well and I would encourage everyone who is eligible for a free flu vaccine to get it now. It is free because you need it”.
Liverpool GP, Dr Simon Bowers, Vice Chair of NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group, who gave Mayor Anderson his jab, said: “Now is the time to take action if you are eligible for a free flu vaccine. Flu can be very serious and getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself.”
Dr Sandra Davies, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health, said: “A very important message for pregnant women is that they should protect themselves and their unborn baby by getting their free flu jab as soon as possible. Pregnancy naturally weakens the body’s immune system and increases the risk of a mother and unborn baby becoming seriously ill from flu. Pregnant women can safely have the flu vaccine at any time in pregnancy to protect themselves and their unborn baby. The vaccine reduces the risk of complications of flu like premature birth and pneumonia and I advise all pregnant women to contact their GP now to get vaccinated.”
“Parents of children aged 2, 3 and 4 years old may not know that their children should have a free flu nasal spray so we want to spread this message. The spray is simple, quick and painless and available for 2, 3 and 4 year olds through the GP.”
For further information on the flu vaccination, please contact your GP surgery. Alternatively visit: www.nhs.uk/flu.
Pictured: The Mayor receives his flu vaccination from Dr Bowers as Dr Davies looks on.
