People with learning disabilities urged to get their flu vaccination

People with learning disabilities in Shropshire, and Telford and Wrekin, are being encouraged to get their flu vaccination if they’ve been contacted by their GP.

It is estimated there are 1.2 million people in England that have a learning disability, many of whom also have long term conditions such as respiratory problems. This makes them at risk of complications should they contract flu.

The vaccination is free to anyone that needs it, and is available at local GP surgeries and at some pharmacists.

Children with learning disabilities can have the flu vaccination through a nasal spray.

Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, and Chair of Shropshire’s Health and Well-being Board, said:

“People with learning difficulties are offered a free flu vaccination because they may be more susceptible to the effects of flu, and at increased risk of developing complications including bronchitis, pneumonia, and a painful ear infection that may be severe.

“Having a vaccine will help protect people from what can be a very nasty illness and reduce the chance of family, friends and carers getting it as well.

“If you care for someone with learning disabilities remind them about the free flu jab.”

Dr Michael Innes, Chair of Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group, added;

“We know that those with learning disabilities may have other health issues which make them more vulnerable to flu.

“Flu can be a very unpleasant illness causing fever, stuffy nose, dry cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints and extreme tiredness that often last for several days.

“Some people can also get a very high fever, sometimes without the usual flu symptoms, and may need to go to hospital for treatment.”

An easy read leaflet about the flu vaccine for people with learning disabilities is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/457105/ISL037_15_Flu_2015_EasyRead_WEB_ACC_FINAL_25Aug2015.pdf

For more information about the flu vaccination, along with information about where you can get the vaccination go to http://www.nhs.uk/pages/home.aspx.

For more information about staying well this winter, visit www.nhs.uk/staywell.

Further information

Flu vaccinations are currently offered free of charge to the following ‘at-risk’ groups:

• those aged 65 years and over
• those aged six months to under 65 with a serious medical condition, such as:
• chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis
• chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
• chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or 5
• chronic liver disease
• chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease
• diabetes
• splenic dysfunction
• a weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment)
• pregnant women
• all two, three and four-year-olds (on 31 August 2015)
• all children of school years 1 and 2 age:
• Year 1 school age: 5 year olds, rising to 6 year olds (ie date of birth between 1st September 2009 and on or before 31st August 2010)
• Year 2 school age: 6 year olds, rising to 7 years olds (i.e. date of birth between 1st September 2008 and on or before 31st August 2009)
• primary school-aged children in areas that previously participated in primary school pilots in 2014/15
• those in long-stay residential care homes
• carers