Vaccination jabs now offered in Andalucia

FREE flu vaccinations are being administered throughout Andalucía this month. The scheme, backed by the Junta de Andalucía and the Social Security, will offer free vaccines to all adult residents, especially those in high risk categories such as people over 65, health workers, pregnant women, cancer patients and people with medical conditions.

For most people flu is an unpleasant illness that generally lasts a maximum of one week and is not at all serious. However those in higher risk categories can develop potentially dangerous complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Studies have shown that the flu jab does work and will help prevent you getting the flu. However, it won’t stop all flu viruses and the level of protection may vary between people, meaning it is not a 100 per cent guarantee of being flu-free. But if you do get flu after vaccination it’s likely to be milder and shorter-lived than it would otherwise have been.

Over time, protection from the flu vaccine gradually decreases and flu strains change, so new flu vaccines are produced each year to keep up with the different types.

People are advised to have the flu jab every year around the month of October, providing more protection for the six month winter period.

There is also evidence to suggest that the flu jab can reduce the risk of having a stroke.