What you need to know about seasonal flu vaccination?

Every year millions of people suffer from seasonal flu. Flu - the short name for influenza is caused by viruses. These influenza viruses can spread easily from one person to another and cause illnesses or infections like the flu. Every flu season is entirely different and a large number of people are infected with influenza. Every year across the globe, millions of people get the flu infection, hundreds of thousands of people get hospitalised, and many among them die from flu-related causes every year. This is why we should take the prevention of flu seriously and get flu jabs on time.

Who should get a flu shot this season?

Everyone who has completed six months and older should receive the influenza vaccine each season. Seasonal vaccination to prevent flu infection is especially critical for people who are at significant risk for severe difficulties from influenza.

If you want to protect yourself against influenza then you must consider taking flu jab annually. Even if you had a flu shot before you can consider having it again especially if you are planning to travel. You can visit any travel vaccination clinic in Heathrow.

Who should not be vaccinated?

Our experts recommend getting the flu shot; either an inactivated flu vaccine or through a recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV). The nasal spray flu vaccine (live attenuated flu vaccine or LAIV) should not be used. Different flu vaccines are recommended for use in diverse groups of people. Factors which can determine a person’s appropriateness for vaccination, or vaccination with a particular vaccine, include a person’s age, health condition (current and past) and any allergies to the influenza vaccine. People who should talk to their physician before getting the flu shot.

When should I get vaccinated?

You should get a flu vaccination now if you haven’t gotten already for this season. It’s best to get vaccinated before the beginning of the flu season or if you are planning to travel. You can get travel vaccinations administered in Hillingdon. It takes around two weeks after flu vaccination for antibodies to form in the body that protects against influenza. Getting vaccinated later can still be profitable, and vaccination can also be offered throughout the flu season, even in the month of January and later period.

Children who want two doses of vaccine to be protected should get the vaccination sooner because the two flu doses must be administered at least four weeks apart.