PEOPLE?who are most at risk from catching flu are being urged to get vaccinated this autumn.

Patricia Stallard, executive member for public health at Hampshire County Council, said: “The flu immunisation remains the most effective method to help protect against influenza.

“For most healthy people, flu is an unpleasant but short-lived illness. However, people who catch flu pass it on to an average of two people – putting our most vulnerable people at an increased risk of serious illness. It is important that these vulnerable groups are protected, and I would encourage those who are eligible to take up the free flu vaccine.”

The NHS offers the flu vaccine free of charge to those individuals most at risk from catching flu and developing serious complications.

This includes anyone who is the main carer for an elderly or disabled person at home, pregnant women, the over 65s and others, both adults and children, with certain existing health conditions such as diabetes and asthma.

Flu can be horrible for young children and if they get it they can spread it around the whole family.

This year, the county council is keen to let parents of children aged two to three know their child can get the flu vaccine.

The flu vaccine for children is not an injection – just a quick nasal spray, which helps protect them from flu and also reduces the chance of them spreading it to others.

Children aged four to eight are also eligible for the flu vaccination.

Hampshire County Council is also once again providing free flu vaccines to its frontline health and social care staff who work with elderly or vulnerable groups. This helps those in the county’s communities who are most at risk to stay well during the winter, as well as the staff who support them.

The flu vaccine is reviewed annually to match the main flu viruses expected. There is generally a good match between the vaccine and the flu virus circulating, making it an effective form of protection.