Be wise and get immunised this winter

Health organisations across Shropshire are urging people eligible for the flu vaccine to get immunised this winter.

The call out coincides with last week’s launch of Public Health England’s national advertising campaign which is aimed at those who are potentially vulnerable to influenza.

Public health teams from Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council, along with Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Telford CCG, are asking people across the county to get their flu jab before the cold season sets in.  In particular, those most targeted are: 

• Over 65s
• Pregnant  women
• People who have a long term health condition, eg diabetes, those with a weakened immune system (eg HIV or cancer patients), heart disease, chronic respiratory disease (eg severe asthma, COPD, bronchitis), kidney disease, liver disease, chronic neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, and people in long stay residential homes
• Children who are two years old and three years old as of 1 September 2013
• Health and social care workers
• Carers – people who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an older person or person with disabilities, whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill. By getting the flu jab, carers also reduce the chance of them transmitting flu to the person they care for.

For the first time this year, a nasal spray vaccine will be offered to healthy two- and three-year-old children, not only to protect them from flu, but to help to reduce the spread of flu and protect others, including younger brothers and sisters, grandparents and those who are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill from flu.  This marks the first step in an extension to the national flu vaccination programme, which will eventually include yearly vaccination of all 2- to 16-year-olds. 

Symptoms of flu can be very unpleasant and can last for several days.  Flu can lead to more serious complications like pneumonia and bronchitis which need hospital treatment.  Every year, hundreds of thousands of people may see their GP and tens of thousands may be hospitalised because of flu each winter.  Nationally almost 800 people were admitted to intensive care with complications of flu last year.

Those who have long term conditions are among the most at risk from flu;  if you’re in an ‘at risk’ group you are, on average, 11 times more likely to die than someone who is not in an ‘at risk’ group.

Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, said:

“For most healthy people, flu is an unpleasant but usually self-limiting disease with recovery generally within a week. However, older people, the very young, pregnant women and those with underlying disease are at particular risk of severe illness if they catch flu.

“This is why we want to encourage parents of two- to three-year-old children, as well as people aged 65 and over, adults and children with long-term health conditions and pregnant women, to take up the offer of vaccination.  I can’t stress enough that it’s so important to get vaccinated, so please don’t put it off, contact your GP surgery and make an appointment.”

Dr Irfan Ghani, Shropshire Council’s consultant in public health medicine, said:

“Although in Shropshire we tend to have a good uptake of the flu vaccine, we still need to increase awareness and encourage those most at risk to get their flu jab.  We will also be focusing on those areas in the county where protection levels are low, and will be working closely with health colleagues and local communities to urge those who need it, to take up the offer of the flu vaccination.

“Over the last few weeks, we’ve been encouraging our frontline adult and children social workers to get vaccinated.  Offering the vaccine to staff can help prevent infection being passed on to vulnerable patients as well as family members.”

Dr Ghani continued:

“The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get the flu jab. F or more information about how to get vaccinated contact your local GP surgery.”

Dr Caron Morton, Accountable Officer at Shropshire CCG, and a local GP, said:

“I would encourage anyone who is eligible for the free flu jab to book their appointment as soon as possible.  Don’t underestimate flu; as a local GP I see how dangerous flu can be to people in these eligible groups. The flu jab only takes a few moments, but could help prevent you from developing a serious illness as a result of flu.  I would also strongly urge pregnant women to come forward for the jab, as it not only protects you but your baby as well.”

Dr Mike Innes, Chair of Telford and Wrekin CCG and local GP, said:

“Flu can be unpleasant, but for some people it can be life threatening.  Every year, the NHS provides a free flu vaccination for eligible groups of people who are more at risk of serious illness from flu.  We are encouraging people who know someone in an ‘at risk’ group to urge them to book their appointment with their GP practice.  Don’t listen to the flu myths; getting the flu vaccination is your best protection against catching flu.”   

Liz Noakes, Telford and Wrekin Council’s Statutory Director of Public Health, said:

“For the majority of people, flu is an unpleasant but not life-threatening illness.

“However, it can be very serious for older people and groups at risk of developing complications including those with weakened immune systems, as well as people with underlying conditions such as neurological disorders, liver, lung or renal disease, heart problems or diabetes and pregnant women.

“Vaccination remains the best way to protect against the potential serious harm from flu this winter.”

For further information about flu vaccination, including who should have it, visit http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/who-should-have-flu-vaccine.aspx

You can also find out more about protecting your child against flu on the NHS Choices website at http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/child-flu-vaccine.aspx.