With the leaves turning from green to orange, the weather turns and brings with it colds and flus. While most of us are simply uncomfortable when we have a head cold, if it worsens and becomes the flu, it could have much more serious consequences. That’s why we think it’s vital for everyone across the country to get the flu vaccine this winter.
Together with our partners, McCabe’s Pharmacy, we’ve compiled a list of the reasons why everyone should get the flu vaccine. It is available at your GP or in your local McCabes Pharmacy, and we encourage everyone to get vaccinated this winter, even if you feel you don’t need it.
The flu is not a cold
‘The flu’ is a viral infection which is actually Influenza and is often misused to describe colds or mild illnesses. While some flu symptoms are the same as a cold (headache, fever, cough, severe tiredness), the flu is much worse. It can take up to 2 weeks to recover completely from the flu. Unfortunately, it can take up to 4 days before you develop any symptoms, meaning that unbeknownst to you, you could have passed it on to someone else already.
The flu vaccine is important for everyone
While you may be young, healthy and vibrant, it is still important that you get vaccinated against the flu. Even if you don’t develop symptoms of the flu after you’ve been exposed to it, you will still carry the virus. This means that someone who may have a suppressed immune system or is vulnerable to illness may contract the flu (and possibly complications) if they haven’t been vaccinated against it. Therefore, it is hugely important that you get the flu vaccine to protect those around you, your neighbours, loved ones and colleagues.
The flu vaccine is safe
There is often a misconception that getting the flu vaccine isn’t very safe, but this isn’t the case. In fact, it actually advisable that pregnant women get vaccinated against the flu. Getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy can prevent getting the flu and passing it onto the baby. Often, people can think that getting a vaccine can give them symptoms or a mild dose of what they are being vaccinated against. The flu vaccine does not contain any live viruse, therefore you don’t need to worry that it might give you the flu.
The flu vaccine is free for some
If you are in the ‘high-risk’ category, the flu vaccine is available to you free of charge. Those who are most vulnerable to contracting the flu fall into this category, although they may have to pay a GP consultation fee. The high-risk category applies not only to those who are most at-risk of contracting the flu, such as the elderly and people with suppressed immune systems but also to those who work with them. It’s also available free of charge for those with a medical card.
The flu vaccine takes less than 30 minutes
The vaccination itself takes 10 minutes, but you will have to wait in the pharmacy for a further 15 minutes once you’ve gotten the vaccine. This waiting period is just to make sure you don’t have any adverse side effects, but this is highly unusual. You’ll be protected against the flu within 2 weeks of getting the vaccine and it works for a year.
The flu vaccine is available at McCabes Pharmacy today
If you are a suitable candidate for the flu vaccine but don’t want to pay a GP fee, then you can visit your local McCabes Pharmacy to get vaccinated. Not everyone will be eligible but your pharmacist will be able to tell you if you are. Just visit the McCabes website to find out more.
We’re delighted to be partnering with McCabes Pharmacy in order to offer both our clients and staff great benefits including 20% off in-store purchases, free prescription delivery, free health checks and much more. To find your local McCabes Pharmacy, visit their website by clicking here.
