iVillage logo
Search iVillage
Health
Diet & Fitness
Food & Drink
Pregnancy
Parenting
Beauty & Fashion
Home & Garden
Relationships
Work & Money
Entertainment
Horoscopes
Travel
Autumn trends
Hot looks for the new season
Red white and blue
Brit medallists swear on TV!
Understand your man
Decoding the male of the species
Health  
  |  General Health  |  Do I qualify for a flu jab?
Advertisement
Topics
Women's Health
General Health
Diseases and conditions
Mental Health
Bones and Joints
First Aid & Minor Ailments
Dental & Opthalmic
Nutrition
Vitamins & Minerals
Natural Health
Healthy Living
Community
Conditions
Diet & Fitness
iVillage shopping

Hot stuff
National Lottery Awards
Kitchen skills for kids
Olympics 2008
Back to school survey
Kelly Holmes interview
Competitions
Baby development tracker
Embarrassing ailments
Best diet foods
Snack swapper
Diets A-Z
Newsletters
Sign up for FREE!




 
Promotions
Lose weight today
Get a personal diet plan

Do I qualify for a flu jab?


question
I am forever ill throughout the winter with colds, fevers and infected throats. I just seem to catch everything. I had glandular fever over three years ago and I'm assuming I still have a low immune system. I also had a very bad case of bronchitis when I was ten (I'm 23 now). I just wondered whether I should be on the flu jab list. It really gets me down every time I'm ill! Should I go and talk to my GP about this?

answer

The Department of Health promotes a campaign every winter so that those at risk from severe complications if they catch flu are offered immunisation against it. This includes those over 65 and those with chronic illness such as heart disease, diabetes and chest disease, including asthma. If you fall into one of these groups you are eligible for the flu jab.

Otherwise you need to talk to your GP and arrange to have the vaccine (you may have to pay the prescription charge if you are not exempt). Also some pharmacies offer the service. Please understand that my reply should in no way outweigh any advice given to you by your own GP or other health professional who is responsible for your ongoing care.

iVillage TV - Health zone

View video in larger player
Delicious     Digg     reddit     Facebook     StumbleUpon
iVillage Features

iVillage Competitions

Playhouse Disney Competition


Message Boards