Flu
Influenza, or 'flu', is a highly contagious acute viral infection that affects people of all ages. It typically starts suddenly with fever, chills, headache, aching muscles, general prostration and a cough or other respiratory symptoms. While most people recover without complications in 1-2 weeks, flu can cause serious illness and death, especially in the very young and the elderly. Flu epidemics occur mainly in the winter months and can result in widespread disruption to healthcare and other services. A vaccine is produced every year based on the strains of virus expected to be circulating.
Flu Clinic
Appointments for our annual flu clinics will be available to book from mid-August 2025. Invitations will be sent out in due course.
Currently flu clinics will take place on:
- Friday 3rd October 2025 in Stormybrook Surgery – in the afternoon
- Saturday 4th October 2025 in North Cornelly Surgery – in the morning
Eligibility
Flu vaccines are available for:
- Patients aged 65 years and over.
- Patients aged 18-64 who are ‘at risk’. This includes those with:
- Chronic Respiratory Disease such as asthma or COPD
- Chronic Heart Disease
- Chronic Kidney disease at stages 3, 4 or 5
- Chronic Liver Disease
- Chronic neurological disease such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease
- Learning Difficulties
- Severe mental illness
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Immunosuppression due to diseases such as HIV/AIDS or treatment such as cancer treatment (and household contact of ‘at risk’ individuals)
- Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen
- Morbid obesity (BMI 40+, aged 16 or over); and
- Pregnant women
- Unpaid/paid carers
- Health care workers
- Poultry workers
- Homeless
Fluenz (Children
Children are eligible for the fluenz vaccine if they are aged between two and three on 31st August 2025 (date of birth on or after 1st September 2021 and on or before 31st August 2023).