It’s that time of year again to think ahead and take precautions to help avoid seasonal flu.
This winter, the influenza vaccine protects against three strains of flu including the H1N1 strain associated with the swine flu pandemic of 2009.
Last year’s vaccine also included protection against H1N1 and its inclusion caused no additional health risks.
People living with HIV are considered to be an at-risk group and this advice is of particular importance to people with lower CD4 cell counts whose immune system could be said to be compromised.
Also considered at risk are the following groups:
- people aged 65 and over
- pregnant women
- those with a serious medical condition
- people living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility
- the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer is ill
- frontline health or social care worker
Flu vaccinations can only be obtained through GP surgeries and are not available at HIV clinics and are expected to be available from October this year.
There is further information about the flu jab on the NHS choices website.
There is also information from Department of Health including this year’s seasonal flu leaflet.
Find out more about accessing GP services here.