RESIDENTS of Fenland are invited to discover the facts about flu, as Flu Safe Roadshows are held across the area.

Shoppers will be able to find out the full facts about flu, if they are in one of the priority groups to get the jab, and can ask any questions they may have.

The roadshows are being backed by the county’s Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), the new health organisations led by clinicians who will be responsible for commissioning healthcare for patients.

Dr Christine Macleod, Medical Director NHS Cambridgeshire and NHS Peterborough, Said: “Flu isn’t like a bad cold – it can be much more serious. In the groups most at risk it can lead to very considerable complications and make any existing conditions worse.

“We are running these roadshows to get that message across to as many people as possible, and give them the opportunity to ask questions and find out the facts.”

Roadshow dates and venues in Fenland: Today, Tuesday November 20, 10 to 3pm at Boots in Whittlesey.

Thursday, November 22, 10am to 3pm, at March Library

Other roadshow dates across the county include: Monday November 26, 9am to 2pm at the Grafton Centre in Cambridge, and Wednesday December 5, 10am to 3pm, at the Boots store in Huntingdon.

Dr Macleod, added: “Flu is a highly infectious illness caused by a virus. The types of virus in circulation change every year as does the vaccine, so it is important that you have the jab this winter, even if you had it last year.

“To help protect yourself and those around you make sure you have a flu jab at your local GP surgery. And remember, the flu jab does not contain live viruses, so it cannot give you the flu.

Priority groups include those aged over 65, pregnant women, people with an existing serious medical condition, those living in a residential or nursing home, and people who are the main carers for an elderly or disabled person who may be at risk if they are ill.