FAQ's

LATUS

Frequently asked questions

Flu Vaccination FAQs
Booking an Appointment
Appointments should be booked via the booking link flubookings.latushealth.co.uk. Note: Appointments are for employees only and do not extend to family or contractors. 
Attending your Appointment
To ensure you can safely receive your vaccination, you’ll be asked to complete a consent form. Note: Your vaccination will not be given without completion of this form.

Appointments will take place in a room made private as you may need to move clothing to allow the nurse to access your upper arm.  If possible, wear clothing with sleeves that can be comfortably rolled up to the top of the shoulder to allow the nurse access to the deltoid muscle in your upper arm.

You should also take a drink of water with you.
Your Nurse
The vaccination will be administered by a Royal College of Nursing qualified nurse practitioner, experienced in administering flu vaccinations and anaphylactically trained. 
How do I cancel my appointment?
When you book an appointment, you will receive an email confirmation to the email address used on booking. This confirmation email will include a link to cancel your appointment. 
What can I do if I cannot attend an on-site appointment?
You can request a vaccination voucher.  Note: Vouchers are limited so please do make every effort to attend an on-site appointment. 
Where can I redeem my flu vaccination voucher?
Find your nearest participating pharmacy at https://pharmacies.flu-xpress-bookings.co.uk 
If I use a voucher, will I have to pay?
No. The flu voucher entitles you to a free single dose Trivalent (TIVe) flu vaccination. 
What is a vaccine?
A vaccine is a type of medicine that trains the body’s immune system to create antibodies so that it can fight a disease it has not come into contact with before. They are designed to prevent rather than treat a disease once you have caught it. 
Why should I have a vaccine?
The flu vaccine is a preventative approach and will help stop the spread of the flu virus and help protect yourself, your family and your colleagues from the virus. 
Why do we need a flu vaccination every year?
The flu virus changes over time and each year there are different strains. A new vaccine provides the best protection against the strains of flu that are expected to circulate in the U.K. in the coming season. 

Every February in the Northern Hemisphere, the World Health Organization (WHO) reviews the types of flu strains that have been circulating in all parts of the world and decides which will go into the vaccine for the following autumn. 
What vaccination will I have?
Trivalent Influenza Vaccine (TIVe) (inactivated/split) this vaccine contains and protects against three influenza virus strains – two influenza A strains and one influenza B strain. This vaccine is an appropriate vaccine for the healthy (18-64s) vaccination population. 
How quickly will I be protected?
It takes up to two weeks after vaccination for you to be protected against flu. Protection will last for up to one year. 
How effective is the vaccination?
The vaccine offers 70-80% immunity against the virus. The small minority who develop flu, despite being vaccinated, are likely to experience milder symptoms and a shorter duration of infection. 
Are there any side effects?
Some people may experience a slightly sore arm after the vaccination which can include redness, swelling, pain or bruising around the vaccination site. Less commonly, a mild temperature and aching may occur as a result of the immune system responding to the vaccine, this can last for up to 48 hours after vaccination and is not considered abnormal. More serious side effects are extremely uncommon and very rarely occur. 
Does the vaccine cause flu?
No. The vaccine contains an inactivated virus that cannot, in itself, cause flu. Mild flu-like symptoms that may be experienced for up to 48 hours after vaccination is the normal response of the body’s immune system to vaccination, the majority of people do not notice any such symptoms. 
Is the vaccine safe?
Flu vaccines have an excellent safety record. They are the best protection we have against an unpredictable virus which can cause severe illness and even death each year among at-risk groups. 
Can everyone have a flu vaccination?
Most people can safely receive the vaccination, however, some people cannot. You will be asked some medical consent questions by the nurse to ensure you are safe to receive a vaccine. 

Trivalent Influenza Vaccine (TIVe) - you should NOT be vaccinated if: 
  • You have a known allergy to chicken or hens egg products. See your GP for alternatives. 
  • You are ill with a fever on the day of vaccination. 
  • You are aged 65 or over. This is because the Trivalent vaccine is NOT the optimal flu vaccination for your age group. See your GP/Pharmacist for alternative. 
  • You have had a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to a previous flu vaccination or an allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine (see patient information leaflet) 
  • You are pregnant. Flu Xpress Ltd is an Occupational Health service provider therefore does not offer the flu vaccination to those who are pregnant. See your GP/Pharmacist for an alternative. 
Do I need to notify my GP that I have had a flu vaccination?
You are advised to tell your GP that you have had a flu vaccination, but it is not essential. The choice is yours. 
What is influenza (flu)?
Influenza (flu) is a viral infection affecting the lungs and airways, flu is different from a cold. Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness. Complications include bacterial pneumonia and can be life threatening especially in older people and those with certain underlying health conditions. 

It occurs most often in winter in the UK and peaks between January and March. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that flu kills between 250,000 and 500,000 people around the world every year. In the UK an average of 600 people a year die from complications of seasonal flu. 
Symptoms
Flu symptoms can be severe and appear very quickly. The virus attacks the throat, nose and lungs causing high fever, headaches, aching joints, coughs and general tiredness. 
How flu spreads
Flu viruses spread mainly by tiny respiratory droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can be ingested in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. 

A person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes. The virus can live for around 24 hours on things such as computer keyboards, handrails, door handles, and so on. Good personal hygiene and cleaning of surfaces can help to prevent the spread of flu.

You may be able to spread flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. People with flu will be infectious for a day before symptoms develop and for a total period of about a week. 

Around 1 in 3 people infected by the flu virus will not show any symptoms, but they can still pass it on to others. 
Mini Health Check FAQs
What is a mini health check?
The mini health check is designed to be a simplified health check, provided to help you inditify, check and monitor key health markers. 
What checks are included?
The mini health check includes: - Blood Pressure - Cholesterol - Blood Glucose (sugar) - Visceral Fat - Hydration - Body Fat
Why blood pressure?
Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure. High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and can act as an early warning sign for other associated health issues.
Why cholesterol?
A simple finger prick (capillary sample) to assess your cholesterol score and ratios. Having your cholesterols checked is an important part of staying health, as high levels of cholesterol increases your risk for cardiac diseases.
Why visceral fat?
Visceral fat, also known as ‘hidden fat’, is fat stored and wrapped around the organs (including liver and intestines). Too much of any body fat can be detrimental to your health, but compared to fat that lies just beneath your skin (subcutaneous fat), the visceral kind is more likely to raise your risk for serious medical issues.
Why blood glucose (sugar)?
A simple finger prick (capillary sample) to measure the levels of glucose in your blood. Glucose is a sugar that you get from food and drink, and the levels vary throughout the day. Understanding your blood glucose levels plays an important role in preventing the onset of diabetes. 
Why hydration?
Hydration is essential to your body’s function, and knowing your body water percentage can help you understand more about your overall health. 
Why body fat?
Body fat represents the percentage of total weight made up from fat. Body fat is an extremely important tissue, assisting in a wide range of biological processes. The objective is not to have as little as possible but to avoid having an excess of fat tissue. Excessive fat is associated with a range of increased current and future health risks. Raised results indicate a possible benefit from activities that reduce body fat levels. 
How long is the appointment?
Each appointment is 20 minutes.
Will my results be shared with anyone?
No. We do not record your results, they are for your to understand and monitor them. 
What if I don’t want to have a test?
No problem, none of the tests are mandatory. Simply let the practitioner know during your appointment, and they will not perform that test.
Does this replace the other health screening available via JP Morgan?
No, the mini health check is in addition to any other health assessments.
Does the assessment replace seeing my GP?
No. The mini health check assessment is not a substitute for a traditional GP visit. The assessment seeks to take health markers that are not routinely offered at GP practices and raise awareness of hidden issues that may indicate the need for medical referral or lifestyle changes. If you have an unexplained or ongoing health issue, you should review this with your GP separately.
Can I use the assessment to discuss my existing health issues?
The mini health check is an opportunity to review important markers of underlying health, and provide specific guidance on next steps. The practitioner is clinically trained to make onward suggestions in the event of abnormal results. It is not the purpose of the mini health check to discuss existing health conditions outside those that are being assessed.
Which email address shall I use for booking an appointment?
Enter your work email address for the booking. You will receive your booking confirmation to this email address.
How can I reschedule my appointment?
Use your booking confirmation email to cancel your existing appointment. Then use the booking link to secure a new appointment.
Can I book these Mini Health Checks for my family?
No. The Mini Health Checks are only available to JPMC employees.
How can I cancel my appointment?
Your booking confirmation email will have an option for cancelling your appointment.
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