Flu Crisis in Hospitals this Winter-Radio interviews with our Private GP Clinic

We carried out phone interviews with Talk Radio and  the BBC today about the warning of a winter crisis in hospitals - even though there has not yet been the expected flu epidemic -mainly because we have run successful vaccination campaigns against flu for several years.  We have observed fewer respiratory infections this winter compared with other years, probably because of the milder weather. As always, SameDayDoctor operates private walk-in clinics in London and Manchester. Our clinics are open up to 7 days per week to see both walk-in and booked patients. We can take the burden off the NHS by offering our high-standard same-day service.

The flu vaccine is routinely given on the NHS to:

• adults 65 and over

• people with certain conditions (including children in at-risk groups from 6 months of age)

• pregnant women

• children aged 2 and 3

• children in reception class and school years 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

For 2018, there are 3 types of flu vaccine:

• a live quadrivalent vaccine (which protects against 4 strains of flu), given as a nasal spray – this is for children and young people aged 2 to 17 years eligible for the flu vaccine

• a quadrivalent injected vaccine – this is for adults aged 18 and over but below the age of 65 who are at increased risk from flu because of a long-term health condition and for children 6 months and above in an eligible group who cannot receive the live vaccine

• an adjuvated trivalent injected vaccine – this is for people aged 65 and over as it has been shown to be more effective in this age group

If your child is aged between 6 months and 2 years old and is in a high risk group, they will be offered an injected flu vaccine as the nasal spray is not licensed for children under 2.

Talk to your Private GP, practice nurse or pharmacist for more information about these vaccines.