NHS East of England advises vulnerable people to make sure they protect themselves from flu this winter NHS East of England is advising that vulnerable people should fully protect themselves from flu this winter by getting both the Swine flu and seasonal flu jabs if they are offered them by their GP.

Swine flu and seasonal flu are caused by different viruses and therefore people need both to be fully protected.

The swine flu vaccine is very different to the existing seasonal flu jab; the vaccine for one will not protect against the other, which is why people in the eligible groups need to have both.

Swine flu is a completely new virus to which very few people are likely to have immunity and the vaccination of people in the following clinical risk groups is well under way: * People aged over six months and under 65, who would normally be eligible for the seasonal flu vaccine; * Pregnant women; * Household contacts of people with compromised immune systems, e.g. people in regular close contact with patients having high doses of steroid medication or on certain types of cancer treatment; and * People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups. This does not include otherwise healthy over 65s, since they appear to have some natural immunity to the virus.

The swine flu vaccination programme will shortly be extended to children over six months and under five years to protect them against the virus.

NHS East of England is urging those in the clinical at risk groups and parents of children who are over six months and under five years to wait to be contacted by their local surgery for the swine flu vaccine.

Seasonal flu is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus, which occurs every year, usually in the winter. The vaccination will help your body to fight the flu virus by making antibodies to help protect you for a whole year against similar seasonal flu viruses you may come into contact with.

The seasonal flu jab is offered each year to people in the following at-risk groups, who are at greater risk of developing serious complications from flu: * People aged 65 or over; * Those who have a serious medical condition; * Those who live in a residential/nursing home; * Those who are a main carer for an elderly or disabled person; and * Poultry workers Dr Linda Sheridan, Director of Flu Resilience for NHS East of England, said: “We urge everyone who is offered either or both of these vaccinations to protect themselves against flu this winter by having both jabs. It is safe to have the swine flu vaccine at the same time as the seasonal flu jab.

“Both swine flu and seasonal flu are highly infectious illnesses and people should not underestimate the effects of flu. It is not the same as getting a cold. It can seriously affect your health and the risks of developing complications are greater if you have certain pre-existing medical conditions.

“Everyone can help reduce the spread of flu viruses by maintaining good hygiene and remembering to ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it.’”