26/10/2017 - Permalink

Over 65? – protect yourself from flu and stay well this winter

Related topics: Adult social care / Health / Partner organisations

Health organisations across Shropshire are urging those over 65 years of age to stay well this winter by protecting themselves against flu.

health worker appealing for vulnerbale gropups to take up flu jab

Catching flu is a miserable experience for everyone, but for many older people it can be incredibly debilitating and can increase their risk of developing a more serious illness, especially if they have an existing condition.

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

“Flu is a highly infectious disease and can lead to serious complications, particularly for those who are over 65 years of age. It is vital that those eligible have it every year as the vaccine protects against different strains of flu which can change and/or evolve each year.

“Please help yourself stay well and take up your free flu vaccine through your GP or pharmacist.  It’s free because you need it.”

Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, adult social care and housing, and chair of Shropshire’s Health and Well-Being Board, added:

“If you are aged 65 and over, it’s vital that you have your seasonal flu jab, as this will help protect you at the time of the year when you are most vulnerable.

I would like to encourage everyone in this age group to have their free flu vaccine. Don’t put it off, speak to your GP or pharmacist today.”

For more information on how to stay well this winter, visit https://www.nhs.uk/staywell/.

Further information

  • Last winter 1,531 people were hospitalised because of flu in a network of 22 trusts in England
  • 1,064 people were admitted to Intensive Care Unit / a High Dependency Unit as a result of flu in 2016/17 across the UK during the flu season, of whom 133 died.
  • There was a 19% decrease in flu-related deaths between 2015/16 and 2016/17
  • Approximately 8,000 deaths occur annually due to flu-related complications. Of these deaths, it is estimated that around 2,500 are people with a heart disease and 3,500 people with a respiratory disease.
  • Flu is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract (nose, mouth, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs). It is a highly infectious illness which spreads rapidly in closed communities and even people with mild or no symptoms can infect others.
  • Flu is characterised by a fever, chills, headache, aching muscles and joint pain and fatigue. For most healthy people, flu symptoms can make you feel so exhausted and unwell that you have to stay in bed and rest until you get better.
  • Flu is caught through droplets of saliva that spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can then be breathed in by other people or they can be picked up by touching surfaces where the droplets have landed.