HEALTH experts are concerned that the number of people protecting themselves against seasonal flu is lower than previous winters.
All the cases of influenza seen so far this year match strains which are in the current vaccine, and it’s not too late to get protection by getting a seasonal flu jab. Experts are therefore keen to encourage all people who are deemed ‘at-risk’ of serious illness from seasonal flu to get the vaccination from their GP as soon as possible.
Eastleigh Surgery is among those who have identified a lower number of patients coming forward for the jab this year. Liz Carter of the nursing team at Eastleigh Surgery said, “We are seeing lower numbers of patients in the ‘at risk’ groups attending for their flu vaccine. We would urge patients to ring the surgery and book an appointment asap. Pregnant women should also have the vaccine. We are also speaking to patients with influenza symptoms who are feeling very unwell.”
Those considered at risk of serious complications include:
• Pregnant women
• People aged 65 or over
• People with heart problems, chest complaints or breathing difficulties, kidney disease, lowered immunity due to disease or treatment, liver disease, those who have had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• Diabetics
• People who live in residential care homes
• Carers of people who are elderly or infirm
• Healthcare and social care workers
Pregnant women are being offered the seasonal flu vaccination this year regardless of their stage of pregnancy. It is particularly important that they take up this offer because pregnant women are more likely to have serious illness if they catch flu, specially H1N1.
Wiltshire’s Corporate Director of Public Health and Wellbeing, Maggie Rae, said people may be hesitant to get vaccinated due to unnecessary concerns about the jab containing the swine flu vaccine.
“As in previous years the seasonal flu vaccination protects against the flu strain circulating within the community and this year it includes the swine flu virus,” she said. “If you don’t have this jab you are not going to be protected. This year’s vaccine is the ordinary seasonal flu jab; the vaccine doesn’t have any actual live virus in it, it simply mimics the virus so your body creates antibodies to make you immune to that virus. It will not make you ill or give you swine flu. Even if you had the swine flu jab last year, you will need the flu vaccine this year.”
She added, “Older people are especially at risk from complications from flu. But people with long term health problems like asthma and diabetes are also at risk. I urge anyone who’s eligible to have the free vaccine every year.
”Your GP or another health professional at your doctor’s surgery will talk through any concerns you may have and give you advice. The flu jab is the best form of protection for you and will help prevent the spread of flu.”
Professor David Salisbury, Director of Immunisation at the Department of Health said, “We don’t know how serious flu will be this winter but we do know that improving seasonal flu vaccine uptake will ensure that more vulnerable people are protected. It is vital we don’t underestimate the effects of this virus. It is not the same as getting a cold and it can seriously affect your health.”
