Shall I Get The Flu Vaccine?
What Is Flu?
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year
Do I need a flu vaccine?
Some people feel that if they catch the flu they won’t be too unwell. Some cases are mild but people who have had the flu feel as though they’ve been hit by a truck. It is highly contagious and people of all ages can catch the flu and develop dangerous complications as a result.
What Are The Symptoms Of Flu
- fever* or feeling feverish/chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue (tiredness)
- some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
Is the flu vaccination free?
The flu is, of course, more of a threat to people with weaker immune systems, such as young children, the elderly, or people with certain chronic health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes.
Flu vaccines are provided by the NHS for those who
- are 65 and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2023)
- have certain health conditions
- are pregnant
- are frontline health workers
Do I need to stay at home with flu?
It’s the time of year when the air is coldest and driest, the ideal conditions for the influenza virus to transmit quickly. Medical professionals agree that staying at home during the early stages of the flu – the first two days after catching the virus when the risk of contagion is at its highest – is essential for the health of both the affected workers and their colleagues.
Do I need a sick note?
7 days off sick or less
If you’re off work sick for 7 days or less, your employer should not ask for medical evidence that you’ve been ill. Instead they can ask you to confirm that you’ve been ill. You can do this by filling in a form yourself when you return to work. This is called self-certification.
More than 7 days off sick
If you’re off work sick for more than 7 days, your employer will usually ask for a fit note (or Statement of Fitness for Work) from a healthcare professional. Fit notes are sometimes referred to as medical statements or a doctor’s note. We provide sick notes free of charge (included in the consultation fee).
Do we offer corporate vaccination clinics?
We do run flu vaccination clinics for large corperations, so please contact us by phone to find out what we can offer your company to keep your workforce happy and healthy
