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Council’s deputy leader joins the flu jab campaign

The deputy leader of Portsmouth City Council today joined the campaign to encourage older people to get down to their GP surgeries and get their winter flu jabs.

Councillor Hugh Mason, who is 67, is backing the campaign on behalf of the city council and showed his support by taking the opportunity to have a flu jab himself. As flu jabs are offered to everyone aged 65 and over each year, Councillor Mason is an ideal candidate to set a good example.

Councillor Mason said: “Flu is unpleasant for anyone but for older people and those with long-term health conditions it can be particularly troublesome. I know that having a flu jab will help protect me against flu this winter and I would urge older people in Portsmouth to get in touch with their GPs and make sure they are protected too.”

Councillor Mason joined Portsmouth’s champion swimmer, Katy Sexton, and former Pompey stars, Pat Neil and Ray Crawford, who all had their flu jabs at Sunnyside Surgery in Portsmouth this morning.

Katie Sexton has asthma and so is one of the 12.5 million people in England who are offered a flu jab because they run a higher risk of complications from seasonal flu. As well as people with asthma and lung conditions, people with heart, kidney or liver problems, diabetes, or who have had a stroke are all encouraged to get a free jab.

Carers and health and social care professionals who work with vulnerable people are all offered the free jab too.

Date : 07 October 2008

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