Older People in Bedford Borough urged to get Flu Jab

Bedford Borough Council is urging its residents aged 65 and over to take up their free NHS flu vaccination before winter sets in.

The last batches of the vaccine were delivered to GPs and pharmacies across the country this week ahead of the flu season, which usually starts in December.

8,524 older people across Bedford Borough didn't take up their jab last year, despite being most vulnerable to flu's effects. Many of those will have caught the virus and needed NHS treatment as a result.

GPs and pharmacies in Bedford Borough should now have enough stock to ensure that everyone eligible can be vaccinated before the start of the flu season, so if you haven't had chance yet or stocks had run low when you tried earlier in the Autumn, now is the time to go get protected.

While flu is a common ailment and many people can get over it with rest and fluids, for some people in high-risk groups, such as the elderly and those with long-term conditions, it can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.

To find out if you're one of the 22million people who are eligible for vaccination head to www.nhs.uk/staywell