Damian is encouraging all those who are eligible for a flu vaccination to make sure they get theirs. Around 46% of at-risk people and 25% of people over the age of 65 were not vaccinated against flu last year in our area, even though they were eligible for a free flu vaccine on the NHS.
Damian recently attended Westminster Flu Day, a flu vaccine clinic held in the House of Commons and sponsored by the ABPI Vaccine Group to raise awareness about the importance of flu vaccinations.
In order to ease the strain on local GP surgeries, certain local pharmacies will also be offering the complimentary flu jabs to those who qualify for it.
Damian said:
“The consequences of having flu for certain groups of people, such as people with a medical condition, pregnant women, children and people over the age of 65, can be serious. I would therefore encourage everyone who is entitled to a free flu vaccine on the NHS to go and get vaccinated as soon as possible – it’s better to get it sorted before winter deepens.”
Seasonal flu (influenza) is a highly infectious illness and it is important for those most at risk to be vaccinated against it. The consequences of influenza can be fatal and there were estimated to be 11,000 deaths from flu in the UK in the 2012/13 flu season.
The Department of Health (DH) recommends free flu vaccinations for those aged 65 or over; and for people with certain chronic conditions such as respiratory disease (including asthma); heart, renal, liver or neurological disease; diabetes; low immune systems; as well as people living in long-stay facilities such as nursing and residential homes, and carers of elderly or disabled people. Healthcare professionals are also encouraged to have the vaccination, as well as pregnant women and children aged two, three and four.