If not prevented, this could lead to ‘serious illness’.
NHS Scotland is urging another group of people to get the flu vaccine.(Image: Getty Images)
While some people are excited for the colder, winter months and the festive period to begin, this sadly also brings along a major drawback – cold and flu season. With cases expected to rise over the coming weeks, those entitled to a free flu jab are being urged to visit their local clinic.
However, while the flu vaccine is available to people at a higher risk of getting seriously ill from the viral infection, NHS Scotland has added another group of people to the list. This has been done in order to prevent a “new flu virus” from being created and spread.
From this winter, NHS Scotland is offering the free flu vaccine to certain cattle and swine workers. This is due to the risk the animals they come in contact with catch a virus and spread it to the workers. If this is combined with a human virus, it could create a new disease that could have worrying consequences.
Setting out guidance in a leaflet, Public Health Scotland explained: “During a bird flu outbreak, people who work closely with cattle and swine, especially if they come into close contact with animals or animal waste, may be at risk of catching the virus.
“If someone has bird flu and human flu at the same time, the viruses could mix in their body and create a new type of flu virus. A new flu virus produced in this way could spread very easily and cause serious illness, because people would not have immunity to it.”
It should be noted the flu jab won’t protect cattle and swine workers from bird flu, but it will provide the best possible protection against human flu viruses.
This in turn will lower the risk of Scottish farmers having human flu and bird flu at the same time, which reduces the chances of creating a new type of virus. Additionally, the vaccine will help reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill if both types of flu are caught.
Below are details on who is able to get a free flu jab from NHS Scotland under these new rules, along with who to contact and how flu symptoms may appear.
Which Scottish farmers can get a free flu vaccine from NHS Scotland?
Certain cattle and swine workers in Scotland are entitled to a free flu jab this winter. This includes those who:
- work on cattle or swine farms (such as feeding, cleaning, caring for animals or checking animal health), this include seasonal, casual and volunteer roles
- are a vert or are involved in monitoring animal health
- move, handle or transport livestock (including drivers and those loading animals)
- work in barns, pens, slaughterhouses or processing plants
- handle animals at markets, shows or fairs
- are a Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) inspector or an Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) inspector
- work for a company that visits farms and may come into close contact with animals or animal waste
How to get the flu vaccine?
There are vaccination clinics across Scotland where you can make an appointment for a time and date that suits you. Your closest clinic can be found though the online booking portal on the NHS Inform page.
Alternatively, you can call the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
The flu, otherwise known as influenza, is an infectious virus that spreads through the air when people sneeze or cough. It can also live on surfaces that other people touch. Unlike the cold, the flu can develop suddenly.
Symptoms include:
- a sudden fever – temperature of 38C or over
- chills
- muscle aches and pains
- feeling extremely tired
- headache
- dry cough, sore throat and stuffy nose
If you have the flu, you are urged to stay at home and rest so the virus is not spread to vulnerable people who could end up experiencing serious complications.