The Vaccine
Does the flu vaccine work?
Immunisation is one of the most effective health care interventions, and flu vaccines are highly effective in preventing illness and reducing hospital admissions and deaths from flu.
How do you know what type of flu to vaccinate against?
The World Health Organisation monitors the spread of influenza viruses world-wide, and recommends which virus strains to include in the vaccine to combat the likely prevalent strains.
Are there any side effects from the vaccine?
Influenza vaccine is usually well tolerated. There may be temporary soreness at the site of injection. Rarely it can cause fever and muscle aches lasting up to two days, and very rarely it has been associated with Guillan-Barre syndrome.
Can the vaccine cause flu?
No. Influenza vaccine contains no live virus and cannot therefore cause
flu.
Is there anyone who should not be given a flu vaccine?
You cannot have the flu jab if you:
- are allergic to chicken or eggs or the antibiotic Neomycin
- are suffering from a high temperature, and/or are generally feeling unwell or have an acute illness at least 48 hours prior to the vaccine being administered.
- are pregnant
- had a severely adverse reaction to the flu jab before
- are suffering from bleeding disorders such as Haemophilia
- are taking the anticoagulent Warfarin
Can I make a booking online for the flu vaccine?
Currently, bookings cannot be made online, but you can enquire about making a booking by using the Flu Vaccine Enquiry Form. A member of the e-med team will then contact you to confirm the appointment.
Legal Issues
Are you registered with the Healthcare Commission?
Yes, we are fully registered with the Healthcare Commission (formerly known as the National Care Standards Commission). Our registration number is G090000122 and, as per regulations, we undergo a thorough annual inspection.
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