Prepare ahead and book to arrange 'flu vaccines for your staff

It’s easy to organise
We’re taking bookings for September to November 2009. To arrange dates or for more information just call us on 020 8767 1218.

Our nurses are experienced in giving flu vaccines and come fully equipped to run the sessions. We can supply a schedule sheet to help appointments run smoothly and can see up to 100 people a day.

It only takes a few minutes for each person to complete a health questionnaire and receive their vaccine (it’s given at the top of the arm).

Our prices are very competitive
Discounts are available for groups. The costs depends on the quantity of vaccines given.

‘Flu information

The illness - ‘Flu is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by many strains of the influenza virus. It spreads from person to person when tiny droplets from the breath of an infectious person are breathed in from the surrounding air. Infected people can pass the disease on for a day or more before they get any symptoms and will remain potentially infectious for 3-5 days. The illness is unpleasant and can strike quickly, causing acute respiratory illness, weakness and fever with aching muscles and joints. The illness can range from being relatively minor through to pneumonia and death.

The impact flu has on a working population - This is considerable as even the strong and fit are likely to be out of action for 5-6 days. Crowded places increase the risk of infection so ‘flu is especially difficult for commuters, office workers and business travellers to avoid. The Consumer Health Information Centre suggests that more than 150 million workdays are lost each year at a cost of £6.75bn. This level of illness can be difficult for both employers and individuals. The vaccine reduces this risk and many people choose to have it as they just don’t have the time to be ill!

Those most at risk of needing hospitalisation or dying from influenza-related illnesses are people over 65 and those with certain health problems. These groups are given the vaccine free by their GPs. Medical, nursing staff and those in “essential services” are also offered the vaccine free. Healthy people are at as much risk of catching flu and of needing time off to recover but they are less likely to need hospitalisation.

Business Travellers and 'flu
Influenza is one of several diseases causing fever and respiratory symptoms that might initially be mistaken for Avian flu. This is a concern for business travellers who may be at risk of being quarantined during or after travel if they develop ‘flu like symptoms. This can be very worrying for the traveller, their families and their employer. Considerable uncertainty surrounds the question of whether SARS might recur, and avian flu is now widespread in birds throughout many countries, with human cases presently occurring but not being transmitted from human to human.

The ‘flu vaccine - As the virus is constantly changing genetically and different subtypes circulate each winter, the vaccine is developed each year to include the most current influenza strains. The World Health Organisation monitors flu illness as it travels the world and predicts the strains that are most likely to cause outbreaks in the Northern Hemisphere during the coming winter.

Protection - Following vaccination, antibodies take about 10-14 days to develop and will then offer healthy adults up to 80% protection. Most people who have been vaccinated don't get the kinds of flu from which the vaccine was made, but if you do catch flu it is likely to be milder than if you had not been vaccinated. As the viruses change every year, boosters are required annually to stay protected.