Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson is urging high-risk groups of society to take up the free seasonal flu jabs offered on the NHS, and ensure they are protected for a year. This week marks this start of the Scottish Government’s annual flu immunisation campaign running over the winter months, but the SNP MSP is greatly concerned that many people are unaware that they are eligible for a free jab.
A separate vaccination campaign will begin in the next few weeks to vaccinate people against the H1N1 pandemic flu virus.
Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:
“It’s a common misconception that only older people are eligible. In actual fact, many others are considered ‘at risk’ – including healthcare workers and people with certain conditions. If these people do not get vaccinated, they are leaving themselves vulnerable to the effects of the virus.
“It only takes a minute to get a jab, but it could potentially save your life. I would urge all eligible people throughout Banff & Buchan to make an appointment with their GP for their free vaccination.”
“Although a lot of attention has understandably been focused on the dangers of the H1N1 pandemic, it is important that vulnerable people protect themselves against the danger posed by seasonal flu too.
“There are separate vaccination programmes for seasonal flu and H1N1, but those who are eligible for both should make sure that they get both jabs and make sure that they are protected”.
Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
