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How Can You Boost Your Immune System During Winter?
Receiving the flu vaccine is completely safe. The majority of pharmacies offer flu vaccines through the NHS to protect those who are more susceptible to developing serious symptoms from the flu. Continue reading to find out more about the NHS free flu jab in Runcorn.
When should you get the NHS free flu jab?
The optimum time to get the flu vaccine is before the virus has a chance to spread. This is during autumn or during the onset of winter. However, you can still get it afterwards. Getting the flu vaccine is one of the best ways to ensure that you have immunity against the flu for at least 6 months.
Is the flu jab worth it?
You should get vaccinated against the flu every year for various reasons. This is the only way to guarantee your protection from the virus and its dreadful side effects. The following is a summary of a few advantages of getting one:
– The flu vaccine can lessen the intensity of infection in persons who still contract the sickness after vaccination. Therefore, it is essential for those with chronic conditions to acquire the vaccine.
– A flu vaccine lowers the likelihood of being admitted to the hospital with the illness.
– Women who receive the vaccination during pregnancy are protected both throughout pregnancy and after delivery.
– It can save a child’s life.
– By receiving a flu vaccine, you also safeguard those around you.
Who can get the flu vaccine?
The NHS provides the flu vaccine to people who:
– Are above the age of 65
– Have certain health conditions
– Are in long-stay residential care
– Receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an elderly or disabled individual who may be vulnerable if you get sick
– Are pregnant
– Are frontline health or social care workers
– Live with a person who is more likely to get infections (for instance, a person who has HIV, has had a transplant, or is having particular treatments for cancer, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis)
Who should not have the flu jab?
Most adults can get the flu vaccination, but if you’ve ever had a serious allergic reaction to one before, you shouldn’t. A bad reaction to the flu vaccine injection is possible if you have an egg allergy. This is because eggs are used in the production of several flu vaccines.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you want an egg-free or low-egg vaccine. If you have a fever or are otherwise ill, you should wait to get the flu jab.
Where can you get the NHS free flu jab in Runcorn?
You can get the NHS flu vaccine at:
– A pharmacy offering the service
– Your GP surgery
– Hospital appointment
– Your midwifery service if you’re pregnant
How effective is the NHS free flu jab?
The flu vaccination is your best line of defence against the virus.
Flu vaccines help to protect against the main types of influenza viruses, but you still run the risk of getting sick. In the unlikely event that you get the flu after vaccination, it will be milder and last less time.
A flu vaccination will also reduce your risk of spreading the illness to people who may be more susceptible to serious complications.
It takes the flu vaccine 10 to 14 days to begin working.
Flu vaccine side effects
The flu vaccination is remarkably effective. Administration of all adult flu vaccines is intramuscularly into the upper arm muscle.
Most side effects are minimal and only last for a day or two, for example:
– Muscle aches.
– Pain at the injection site; elderly people are more likely to experience this side effect from the vaccine.
To lessen the soreness, try these ideas:
– Move your arm constantly.
– Take a pain reliever, for example, paracetamol or ibuprofen. However, some people shouldn’t use ibuprofen unless a doctor tells them to, such as those who are pregnant.
Tips to stay healthy & boost your immune system during winter
Winter does not have to be the unhealthiest season for you and your family.
Your immune system is one of the many systems that make up your body, along with the respiratory and digestive systems and others. When you take good care of it, it works at its best, just like the rest of your body. You can achieve this by consistently implementing simple health techniques like:
– Eating more fruit and vegetables
– Getting enough sleep
– Exercising regularly
– Washing hands frequently
– Having hot drinks regularly
– Eating a hearty breakfast
– Considering taking supplements
Get in touch with Wise Pharmacy to learn how to get the NHS free flu jab in Runcorn.
This post was written on behalf of Wise Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor