NHS issues flu advice to Sidmouth

HEALTH chiefs have urged residents in Sidmouth and Ottery to protect themselves this winter by having a flu vaccination.

GP practices are offering a free vaccination to those people deemed at risk. .

For the first time this year all pregnant women will be offered the seasonal flu vaccination.

It will protect against the H1N1 virus, better known as swine flu, that will still be circulating this winter, says NHS Devon.

Pregnant women who catch this strain are at an increased risk of severe disease and flu-related hospital admissions, warn health bosses.

Everyone aged 65 and over is routinely offered the vaccination along with sufferers of long-term conditions including heart disease, diabetes, asthma, multiple sclerosis and serious kidney or liver disease.

Jackie Morse, NHS Devon’s head of health protection, said the vaccination saves lives.