Local councils and health care providers are urging people with long-term health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions and asthma to get a free flu vaccination this winter.
Last year there were over 1,500 hospital admissions related to flu in Bedfordshire and in 421 cases flu made other health conditions worse.
“Getting a flu jab is probably the most important thing someone with a longer-term health condition can do to stay healthy this winter,” said Bedfordshire GP Dr Fran Ross.
“Flu is not the same as getting a cold. Its symptoms are more severe, last longer and for people with other health conditions, it can lead to more serious illnesses, even death.”
People with diabetes, heart, respiratory or liver disease, Parkinson’s or motor neurone disease, or weakened immune systems are more likely to develop potentially serious complications if they catch flu and are eligible for a free flu jab.
For more information on protecting yourself against flu go to:
www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/flu-jab or www.bedfordshireccg.nhs.uk/page/?id=3784