Roll up roll up – time to get vaccinated

November 9, 2021

Thank you to those who have already received your flu jab and COVID booster. In order to ensure we are protected, we need to do what we can to keep ourselves, our loved ones and our patients safe.

The flu and COVID booster are safe, and just to reassure you, we’re here to clear up any myths. Over the next two weeks, you’ll see our myth busters in the daily bulletin starting with today.

MYTH! The injected flu vaccine cannot cause flu because there are no active viruses in the vaccine. Your arm may feel slightly sore where you were injected, and some people get a slight temperature and aching muscles for a day or two, but other reactions are very rare.

The vaccine takes around 10 days to protect you fully, so if you’ve been sick after having your flu jab, you would have been unlucky and caught the flu (or a flu-like virus) just before it took effect.
There can sometimes be several strains of flu virus circulating at the same time, which is why some people may still get the flu despite being vaccinated.

That doesn’t mean it’s not worth having the jab – some protection is better than none at all!

Where to get your jabs:

• Sandwell: Pop up clinics are taking place on Wednesday 10 November and Wednesday 24 November in the Berridge suite in occupational health
• City: The City vaccination hub is open seven days a week
• Rowley: The next pop up at Rowley is due 25 November, with walk ins able to come in to Westwood ward from 9am – 4pm.

Visit a pop-up clinic to get your flu jab and COVID-19 booster. If you are still unsure, you can contact the vaccine hub on 0121 507 4404.