A study has found that one person with ‘flu could actually cause more than 16,000 other people to be infected within the space of just two weeks.
The study revealed that more than a third of people believe that the annual ‘flu jab is only for particularly vulnerable people such as the elderly.
The flu season runs roughly from October until April. The illness lasts longer then a common cold and is highly infectious.
However, the flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to help prevent flu. It helps the person’s immune system to produce antibodies to the flu virus.
Each year, the jab contains three common influenza virus strains. This year, it contains three strains recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the strains most likely to be circulating this season.
Vaccinations are most strongly recommended for persons ages 65 and over and those aged six months and older with specific long term health conditions.
For more information on the flu vaccine click here.
