This year’s annual seasonal flu vaccination campaign was launched today by the Department of Health.
The campaign will encourage people who are at risk of seasonal flu to protect themselves by getting their free flu jabs.
Everyone over the age of 65 is routinely offered the jab, as are younger people with long-term conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, serious kidney and liver disease. Around 15 million people in the UK have the jab, which must be administered every year as it is altered each year to match the flu strains in circulation.
Dr David Salisbury, Director of Immunisation at the Department of Health said: “There has been so much coverage about swine flu this year that it is very important to remind people not to forget about getting their normal annual flu jab.
”People should not underestimate the effects of seasonal flu. It is not the same as getting a cold. It can seriously affect your health and the risks of developing complications are greater if you have certain pre existing medical conditions.”
Seasonal flu, also known as influenza, is a highly infectious illness caused by a virus. The virus which is different from swine flu (H1N1) changes every year as does the vaccine, so, it is important that those at risk ensure they receive the jab to protect themselves.
Dr Salisbury added: “If you are in any of the at risk groups, my advice, especially at this time of the year is to visit your local surgery and get the vaccination as soon as possible. This is the best form of protection for you and others”.
Every year approximately 8,000 people suffer flu-related deaths in the winter months in England and Wales.
The best way to avoid flu is to get immunised, but in addition, people can protect themselves by practising good hand hygiene. This means carrying tissues, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, disposing of the tissue after one use, and cleaning hands as soon as possible.
Notes:
1. Last year the Department’s seasonal flu campaign saw an increase in the uptake of the vaccine in England among those aged 65 years and over reaching 74.1% compared with 73.5% in 2007/8.
2. The vaccine uptake in clinical risk groups under 65 was lower, but increased to 47.1% compared with 45.3% in 2007/8. The Department hope to see this trend continue this year.
3. Swine flu is a completely new virus to which very few people are likely to have immunity. It has occurred at a time of the year when seasonal flu isn’t around, and may affect more people than seasonal flu. It might become more serious. The seasonal flu vaccination does not protect against swine flu. The vaccine to protect against swine flu will be available later in the winter.
