South East Cornwall MP Sheryll Murray visited an event this week to highlight to local people the need to receive a flu vaccination from their doctor if they needed one. Last year only three quarters of over 65s and around half of those ‘at risk’ got their jab in South East Cornwall.
No longer on the front line of the NHS, this year Sheryll paid for her jab at the event.
Sheryll Murray said, “The seasonal flu vaccination is important to help protect those people who are more susceptible to serious complications or even death from flu. I would encourage all those that are over the age of 65 or are in one of the ‘at risk’ groups to visit their surgeries and get vaccinated,” she added.
Dr George Kassianos, a GP and Fellow and Immunisation Lead of the Royal College of GPs, said “Despite the relatively mild flu season last year, people should remember that flu remains a serious threat, particularly for those aged over 65 and those of any age with medical conditions that put them at increased risk from influenza infection and its complications, for whom it can be a pretty nasty and debilitating illness. It’s not too late, and I would encourage everyone at risk to get their annual flu jab.”
The Department of Health provides free seasonal flu vaccinations for at risk groups, which include those aged 65 or over; people with chronic respiratory disease (including asthma), heart, renal, liver or neurological disease; diabetes; low immune systems; as well as people living in long-stay facilities such as nursing and residential homes; carers of elderly or disabled people and many front line staff.
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Pictured: Sheryll Murray receives her flu jab