Flu clinic information

Please read this information carefully before your appointment

BEFORE Your Flu Vaccination

• Please arrive on time for your appointment
• Please wear a top/shirt which you can push up to the shoulder. The Nurse needs quick and easy access to the top of your arm to administer the vaccination
• Please read the Flu Factsheet prior to your appointment
• The risk of having a serious reaction to the flu vaccination is less than one in a million. If you have had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a flu vaccine before, please speak to the nurse before being vaccinated

DO NOT ATTEND YOUR APPOINTMENT if you are unwell with a cold or any symptoms of coronavirus; fever, persistent cough, loss of taste/smell. Your appointment can be re-arranged when you are well.

AFTER Your Flu Vaccination

• Please notify your GP Practice that you have received the flu vaccination. If you would like a letter to give to your GP detailing the vaccination you have received, please contact Occupational Health
• The side effects of the flu vaccine are usually mild or non-existent. The most common side effects are soreness, swelling, redness, hardness around the site of the injection. A very small number of people experience mild fever or aching muscles, but this is simply your immune system responding to the vaccine. These symptoms settle within one to three days
• If you experience any suspected side effects of the vaccine, seek appropriate medical advice and notify Occupational Health

ANAPHYLAXIS

The Flu Clinic Nurse has basic lifesaving and anaphylaxis training. Influenza vaccine-associated anaphylaxis is a very rare allergic reaction to vaccines, but the most concerning and life-threatening adverse reaction. Onset of anaphylaxis is rapid, typically within minutes, and its clinical course is unpredictable with variable severity and clinical features. Due to the unpredictable nature of anaphylactic reactions it is not possible to define a time period over which all individuals should be observed following immunisation to ensure they do not develop anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is likely when all the following three criteria are met: sudden onset and rapid progression of symptoms, life-threatening airway and/or breathing and/or circulation problems and skin and/or mucosal changes (flushing, urticaria, angioedema). Some people have systemic allergic reactions that are less severe. For example; generalised urticaria, angioedema and rhinitis would not be described as an anaphylactic reaction. 

All serious suspected reactions following flu vaccination should be reported to Occupational Health. In the case of any medical emergency, always dial 999.

Occupational Health Team
Telephone: 01642 576780
Email: occupational.health@stockton.gov.uk