Have you booked your flu jab yet?
Okehampton Medical Centre is now booking patients in for this year’s flu vaccination.
Flu (influenza) is a common infectious viral illness which is spread by coughing, sneezing or by touching contaminated surfaces. It can be very unpleasant and extremely serious for those at risk of developing complications.
Some of the main symptoms of flu include a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above; tiredness and weakness; headache and general aches and pains. Cold-like symptoms, such as a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, and a sore throat, can also be caused by flu, but they tend to be less severe than the other symptoms you have.
Flu can make you feel so exhausted and unwell that you have to stay in bed and rest until you feel better. Think about the huge effect this could have on work, family, and social commitments!
The flu vaccination will protect you from the four strains of flu that we are vulnerable to this year, including swine flu.
Okehampton Medical Centre is able to offer flu vaccinations for free to all patients aged over 65, as well those deemed to be high risk, including all those with long-term respiratory disease (such as asthma or COPD); heart disease; kidney disease; neurological disease; diabetes; problems with their spleen; all pregnant women; residents in care homes; if you receive carers allowance; if you live in a household with any one immunocompromised and children aged two and three. (Children aged between four and eleven years of age will be offered their vaccine at school)
Contact Okehampton Medical Centre to book your appointment now. You can book via our receptionists, the automated phone line and via the dispensing team at the medical centre. Phone 01837 52233.
It takes around 14-21 days after the vaccination to be fully protected against flu. For this reason we highly recommend booking into one of our early flu clinics, to ensure you are fully vaccinated before peak flu season.
Your participation in our flu vaccination clinics allow us to help protect you from the risk of winter illness, as well as giving us opportunity to re-invest in even more primary care services.
We will also be offering flu clinics in local village halls between 2pm and 4pm. No appointments are necessary - they will take place at Sourton Village Hall on November 7th; Belstone Village Hall on November 14th; the Pavilion at South Zeal on November 21st and at Exbourne Village Hall on November 28th.
Okehampton Medical Centre now offers eConsult appointments for patients. This allows patients to contact their doctor online, getting help and advice by the end of the next working day. We are proud to be one of the local practices offering this service. Just click on the link at www.okehamptonmedicalcentre.co.uk