Prevention- The flu vaccine

Much of the illness and death caused by the influenza virus can be prevented by the annual influenza vaccination. Many individuals still do not have the knowledge or understand the importance or how to get the vaccine and also because at times, stocks can run out of the vaccine. There have been many miss-understandings of the vaccine in the public eye. The vaccine is given each year by an injection. People who are at high risk of getting the influenza virus are strongly recommended to get annual vaccination. These groups of people include:

· Aged over 65

· Chronic respiratory disease

· Chronic heart disease

· Chronic kidney disease

· Chronic liver disease

· Diabetes

· Chronic neurological disease

· Immunosuppression illness

High risk groups also include those working in public sector areas or those in contact with a number of different groups of people, for example : health care workers, those living in close proximity to others, gym environments, air conditioned areas or working.

The vaccine needs to be given each year, this is due to the clever fact that the virus changes continually by mutating. Therefore, each year, the vaccine changes according to the most up to date virus that is present. Also, once a person receives the vaccine, the effectiveness of the vaccine, reduces over time in an individual.

The vaccine should be taken around September of each year and it takes approximately 2 weeks for the beneficially effects of the vaccine to develop.

Care Quality Commision Approved and Registered

Galen Health Partners

Dr T Abbas - MBBS MRCGP MRCP DFFP

Dr Abbas qualified from Guy's and St Thomas's Hospitals in 1999. She has worked in several central London teaching hospitals including as a Specialist Registrar in General Internal Medicine, Endocrinology & Diabetes before becoming a GP. As a GP she has worked in Hampstead, Islington and now the City.

Dr Abbas, has an interest in chronic disease management and offers Galen Heath extensive experience in the following areas:

Diabetes: Diabetes affects at least 2.5% of the population with as many more having undiagnosed

Type 2 diabetes. The prevalence is increasing rapidly and this is expected to double the number of

cases over the next decade. Diabetes is a major cause of acute and chronic morbidity and mortality. It reduces life expectancy in all age groups. Dr Abbas' experience in this field enables Galen Health to offer all patients access to this dedicated service, with a 1-1 management and tailored care programme.

Obesity: Nearly one in four people in the UK are obese. Obesity can reduce life expectancy by an average of 9 years. Galen Health offers a dedicated Obesity clinic to all patients, with a fully comprehensive care package with the support of our GPs and multi disciplinary team.

Cardiovascular risk management: Providing a Cardiovascular Clinic enables our patients to have access to a specialist care within a generalist setting, faster access to services and services in a familiar environment, with the peace of mind that our GPs have the skills and knowledge to work in partnership in the management and care of Cardiovascular disease.

Dr Abbas contributes towards our women's health services, offering an extensive range of service for our female patients. These include cervical smears, contraception advice and guidance, well woman clinics, pre-conceptive counselling, pregnancy testing and advice, antenatal services, menopause/menstrual disorders and general management of women's health. .