Henry Smith MP invited fellow MPs to Westminster Flu Day on Wednesday 22nd October, to encourage their constituents to get this season’s flu vaccine.

Henry said;

“I was pleased to see so many colleagues come down and give their support for Flu Day. My office, along with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Vaccine Group, have been involved in organising this event for some time, so I hope that people in Crawley and across the country will look into getting the vaccine.

“The consequences of having flu for certain groups of people, such as people with a medical condition, pregnant women, children and people over the age of 65 can be serious. I would therefore urge everyone who is entitled to a free flu vaccine on the NHS to go and get vaccinated.”

Dr Dan Poulter MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, who continues to work as an NHS hospital doctor on an unpaid basis when time permits, added;

“Vaccination against flu helps to protect those people who are more susceptible to serious complications or even death from flu.”

Dr George Kassianos, GP and Fellow and Immunisation Lead of the Royal College of General Practitioners, commented:

“Despite the relatively mild flu season last year, people should remember that flu remains a serious threat, particularly for those aged over 65 and those of any age with medical conditions that put them at increased risk from influenza infection and its complications. Flu can be a pretty nasty and debilitating illness and I would encourage everyone at risk to get their annual flu jab.”

For more information on Westminster Flu Day, please visit www.abpi.org.uk/our-work/vaccinesgroup/Pages/Westminster-Flu-Day.aspx

Pictures: Dr George Kassianos, GP and Fellow and Immunisation Lead of the Royal College of General Practitioners, with Henry Smith MP