Where can you get your flu jabs in Muswell Hill?
Your local pharmacy and your GP are the two most convenient places to get your flu jabs.
Dukes Pharmacy in Muswell Hill offers walk in flu jabs service, meaning there is no need for an appointment. Dukes pharmacy offers free flu jabs service and also private flu jabs if you are not eligible for the NHS flu jab service.
What is flu?
Flu also known as Influenza is a viral infection that mainly affects the respiratory system.
Flu is normally unpleasant, but if you are otherwise healthy it will usually clear up on its own within a week or so.
However for some people, particularly those in what we call ‘at-risk’ groups, flu can results in serious complications.
Flu Symptoms
Symptoms are normally confused with that of common cold, however flu symptoms are more severe and mainly include fever, headache, aching muscles, chills, joint pain and fatigue.
Flu Vaccines
Flu vaccines also commonly referred to as flu jabs, provide effective protection against flu.
Studies have shown that the flu vaccine will help prevent you from getting the flu. However, It won't stop all flu viruses and so it's not a 100% guarantee that you'll be flu-free, but if you do get flu after vaccination it's likely to be milder and shorter-lived than it would otherwise have been.
Read more about how the flu vaccine works.
Why flu could be a problem?
Flu is contagious which means it can easily be spread to others. Even if the symptoms are not yet there, it can still be passed to others.
Who are at most risk from flu?
The groups that are at most risk from flu include 65 years old and over, pregnant women, those with certain medical conditions and children in some age groups. To protect these groups from flu, NHS offers free flu jabs to these groups.
Other people who are eligible for free NHS flu jabs include those who receive carer’s allowance and frontline health and social care workers.
How can I protect myself, my family and those around me from the flu?
Flu spreads very quickly and the virus can live on hands and hard surfaces for up to 24 hours. Hence “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it” is the advice “ Try to avoid contact with sick people and wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub. If you are feeling unwell, look after yourself, drink plenty of fluids and stay at home so you don’t spread flu to others.
The vaccine remains the best defence we have to protect against the spread of flu and we encourage everyone eligible to get it each year.
When is the best time to have the flu Jab?
Autumn is the best time for having your flu jab, mainly from October till end of November, But if you haven’t had yours then, you are still advised to have it later in the winter.
Is flu vaccine safe?
The flu vaccines that are used in national programme have a very good safety record.
How are flu vaccines decided for each year?
Every year, flu viruses are identified in advance and based on that, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends which type of flu virus strains to include in the vaccine.
Flu Vaccines for 2018/2019
This year, the flu jab will be different for anyone aged over 65 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (because of limited supplies Scotland will only be offering the new flu jab to over-75s.) NHS England has asked GPs and pharmacists to provide an adjuvanted trivalent vaccine. ‘Adjuvanted’ means it contains an extra ingredient to improve immune response, while trivalent means it protects against three strains of flu.
It will still be free and safe, and has been used elsewhere in Europe, Canada and the United States for years.
In a letter to GPs and pharmacists, NHS England said: “Use of these more effective vaccines in the 2018–19 season is clearly in the best interests of patients, particularly given the association of flu with increased mortality.”
What are flu jabs side effects?
Flu vaccine side effects are extremely rare. It could be mild fever and muscle ache for a day or two after vaccination. The injection area on your arm may become a bit sore. Read more about the side effects of the flu vaccine.
How much Flu Jabs cost?
If you are eligible for NHS flu jab service, then its free for you. If not then it the cost varies. Get in touch with Dukes Pharmacy to find out the the cost.