The Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire is urging eligible people to get their free NHS influenza vaccination to protect them and others against flu this winter.
Vaccination is the best protection against catching or spreading influenza (flu), which is a debilitating and potentially deadly illness.
Local AM, Russell George, is joining calls being made by Public Health Wales for people in at risk groups go to their GP or community pharmacy and get the free flu vaccine soon.
At risk groups include pregnant women, those with certain long-term illnesses, people aged 65 or over and carers.
All children aged two to eight years are also being offered protection with a simple nasal spray flu vaccine, so no needles.
Two and three year olds will have their nasal spray vaccine at their GP surgery and children in reception class or years one, two, three or four in primary school will be offered their vaccine at school.
Mr George said:
“The Beat Flu campaign is underway throughout Wales to offer flu vaccines to individuals most at risk of serious complications from influenza, and my message to them is to make sure it’s at the top of your to-do list this autumn.
“Last year in Wales, less than half (47%) of those in at-risk groups under the age of 65 took up their free NHS flu vaccination and we really need to increase the numbers of people being vaccinated."
Dr Richard Roberts, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at Public Health Wales, said:
“Each year, influenza viruses circulate, causing many people to be ill and some to face life-threatening situations. Last year in intensive care units in Wales there were 74 patients with confirmed influenza.
“The influenza viruses change regularly and vaccine protection fades over time, so if you are in a risk group and had the vaccine last year, it is still important to get vaccinated again this year to protect yourself this winter.
“Getting vaccinated against flu every year is the single best way to protect against catching or spreading what is a potentially debilitating illness”.
To find out more about how to get your free vaccine visit www.beatflu.org or www.curwchffliw.org, or finding Beat Flu or Curwch Ffliw on twitter and facebook.