Influenza – flu – is a highly infectious and potentially serious illness caused by influenza viruses. Each year the make-up of the seasonal flu vaccine is designed to protect against the influenza viruses that the World Health Organization decide are most likely to be circulating in the coming winter.

Vaccination is strongly recommended for:

• persons 65 and over,
• those with a long-term medical condition such as diabetes, heart or lung disease,
• people whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment
• residents of nursing homes and other long stay institutions
• persons with a body mass index (BMI) over 40
• pregnant women.(can be given at any stage of pregnancy),
• healthcare workers
• carers
• people with regular close contact with poultry, water fowl or pigs.

For more information on flu immunisation, including background information on the vaccine and how you can get the jab, see the links below:

Flu Vaccinations

These are lots of ways to help keep yourself well and healthy as you age. NI Direct provides some useful resources on different topics to help you find out more about keeping yourself healthy as you age.

• Living Well 

Get Active

The NI Direct website contains information about becoming more physically active.