Brand new research by the Health Protection Agency and by Health Protection Scotland has shown that people with chronic liver disease are much, much more likely to develop severe complications if they get flu.
In fact, surprisingly, having a chronic liver disease like hepatitis C is the single biggest risk (more than having heart disease, for example).
Since these complications could potentially be fatal, the Trust is strongly urging everyone with hepatitis C to get vaccinated this winter.
The vaccine should be available from September so we suggest you call your GP now to make an appointment so that you’re protected as soon as possible. The flu virus circulates every winter, usually over a few weeks. The best time to have a flu jab is in the autumn, from September to early November. Do not wait until the winter, when the flu virus will be circulating, before getting your flu jab.
The vaccine will also protect against H1NI flu, which is likely to be one of the strains circulating this year.
There is further information about the flu jab on the NHS Choices website and from the Department of Health including this year’s seasonal flu leaflet.
If you have any concerns please call our helpline on 0845 223 4424 or 020 7089 6221
