get flu vaccine glenrothes fife

 

With long, winter nights fast approaching, the time has come to get your flu vaccine in Glenrothes, Fife. The flu vaccine is an incredibly easy step that you can take to protect those around you, as well as yourself, this season. Cadham Pharmacy is here to help you take that step, offering free NHS and Private vaccinations to meet the needs of our community. Keep reading to find out how the vaccine works, who should get it, whether it’s safe and more in our ultimate guide.

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https://cadhampharmacy.com/services/flu-vaccine-glenrothes/

 

How does the vaccine work?

The flu jab offers you the best possible protection against the main types of flu viruses. Ultimately, there is still a chance that you may get the flu after your vaccine. However, it is likely to be a milder, less severe case than if you were unvaccinated.

Additionally, the vaccine will decrease the risk of spreading the virus to others.

Why is the vaccine especially important this year?

It is likely that hospitals will be under greater stress than usual due to the combined pressure of Covid and flu. Therefore, the more people who get their vaccine, the less pressure on the NHS.

Flu and Covid are both respiratory viruses; you can get flu all year round, however, it is more common in winter. Also, our immunity to flu this year may be lower than usual as a result of limited exposure to it during the pandemic. Ensuring that you are vaccinated against both diseases is the best way to reduce your risk of serious illness.

Can I get a free flu vaccine in Glenrothes, Fife?

Essentially, if you belong to a group considered to be at high risk of serious flu-related complications, you may be eligible for a free jab. Currently, the NHS criteria includes groups such as:

– Adults who are aged 50+
– Healthcare workers
– Pregnant women
– Those aged 6 months+ with an eligible health condition
– Social care workers delivering direct personal care
– Children between the ages of 2 and 5 that are not yet in school
– Primary school children (primary 1-7)
– Secondary school children (years 1-6)
– Young and unpaid carers

You can find more information on the NHS website.

 

get flu vaccine glenrothes fife

 

What is classed as an eligible health condition?

Long-term health conditions that increase your risk of serious complications include:
– Respiratory conditions, such as asthma and bronchitis
– Diabetes
– Heart conditions
– Having a weakened immune system due to conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medications such as steroid tablets and chemotherapy
– Liver disease
– Kidney disease
– Neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease

If you suffer from a long-term condition that is not within the list of groups, you should speak to a medical professional. They should then offer you the vaccine if they determine that you are at risk of serious flu-related complications.

 

man getting his seasonal jab

 

Should anyone not have the vaccine?

Generally, the vaccine is suitable for most adults. However, you should avoid it if you’ve previously had a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine. Similarly, if you have an egg allergy you may be at risk of an allergic reaction to the jab. This is because some vaccines are made using egg. However, you can simply ask your pharmacist for a low-egg or egg-free vaccine variant.

Is the vaccine safe?

When it comes to vaccines, the flu vaccine is incredibly safe; the majority of side effects you may have, if any, only last for around a day. Side effects include a sore arm where the needle went in and muscle aches. Ordinarily, any discomfort can be eased with painkillers or regular arm movement.

You can find out more about potential side effects here.

 

woman smiling drinking coffee

 

Where can I get my flu vaccine in Glenrothes, Fife?

If you are not eligible for the free flu vaccine, there is no need to worry. In addition to the free NHS vaccine, we also offer a private vaccine for just £15.

We would recommend booking your vaccine in advance via our convenient booking calendar. This is because it takes around 10 days for your body to develop adequate immunity following your vaccine. So, why wait to protect yourself?

Book now to secure your slot!

 

This blog post was written on behalf of Cadham Pharmacy by Carla Moore from Pharmacy Mentor.