PREGNANT women and people with medical conditions in the Highlands are among those being urged to have an early flu jab.

Over 32,000 people across the region are eligible for the flu jab, which provides protection against the dangerous virus.

Flu is especially hazardous for people aged 65 or over, to those with existing medical conditions, pregnant women and unpaid long-term carers.

As part of Scottish Flu Awareness Week, which launches today, doctors nationwide will urge those at risk to take advantage of the vaccination.

Dr Ken Oates, of NHS Highland, said: “Flu strikes suddenly and can take immediate and severe effect. If you are in one of the at-risk groups, then the impact of flu can be even more serious, with symptoms hitting you harder and lasting longer. You could end up in hospital, or contracting pneumonia or bronchitis.”

It has been revealed that over 45 per cent of people aged under 65 in the Highlands who were entitled to the jab did not get it last year.

However, 73 per cent of people aged 65 or over in the region were vaccinated last year.

The jab takes around ten days to protect against the virus, so NHS Highland is urging people to get it as early into the flu season, which begins in October, as possible.

Eligibility enquiries can be made by calling NHS Inform, on 0800 22 44 88.

http://www.highland-news.co.uk/News/Flu-jab-appeal-launched-in-the-Highlands-03102011.htm