For this session, use the coughs, colds and flu article, as well as other sources of information and practical experience within the pharmacy team to strengthen your knowledge. This will give you more insight and information to pass on to your customers.

You can use information sources you may have in the pharmacy, such as other articles and information leaflets. Also look out for any articles in magazines or from other sources that your customers may be reading on these topics and consider whether it is evidence-based.

You will find plenty of information, on flu vaccinations in our article. In order to make it useful and relevant to your work, discuss:

• What are the benefits to customers of being able to get a flu jab in the pharmacy?
• Who is eligible for a flu jab?
• Who should not have a flu jab? Why?
• What advice would you give to a customer seeking a flu jab who has allergies?
• Against which three viruses does this year's flu vaccination provide protection?
• What are the side effects of the flu jab? (Remember that the benefits of the jab far outweigh the side effects)
• Can you explain to a customer why antibiotics should not generally be used to treat flu?
• Can you identify the differences in symptoms between a cold and flu?