Bassetlaw: Still time to get your flu jab

Every winter hundreds of people in Bassetlaw are hospitalised because of flu, putting undue strain on already over stretched services in A&E and beyond.

The flu jab is offered free of charge to individuals who have a high risk of catching flu, such as those aged 65 years or over, pregnant women and those with long term health problems such as diabetes, lung, kidney or heart disease.

Individuals who are eligible for a free flu jab may have received a letter from their GP encouraging them to visit their surgery in order to get protected. If you have not already responded to that letter or have not received one but you are in one of groups mentioned above it is not too late to protect yourself against the flu.

Steve Kell, GP and chairman at NHS Bassetlaw Clinical Commissioning Group,said: “If you are in one of these at risk groups and haven’t yet had the flu jab then please contact your GP for advice. It is really important that these people get the vaccine as it will help them to stay fit and well during the winter months.”

This advice comes as the NHS Bassetlaw Clinical Commissioning Group launches a campaign to encourage people to choose the right health service this winter.