Scottish flu awareness week
Written by admin on October 3, 2011
As Scottish Flu Awareness Week launches today, Monday 3 October 2011 week, it’s been revealed that over 42 per cent of people aged under 65 in the Dumfries and Galloway area who are entitled to get the flu jab didn’t take up the offer last year.
Health professionals across the country will be urging people in the ‘at risk’ groups to get their annual flu jab as part of Scottish Flu Awareness Week.
The week-long campaign aims to raise awareness of the benefits of the flu jab and to encourage the estimated 7,151 people (or 42 per cent of the total ‘at risk’ group) living in the NHS Dumfries and Galloway board area who didn’t get the vaccination last year, to get it as early as possible this year. These figures don’t include people over 65 who are also eligible for free flu jab.
The key target groups that are eligible for the jab are: people aged 65 and over, under 65s with existing long-term medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis and other heart, lung and liver diseases, pregnant women, unpaid carers of any age and NHS workers who deal directly with patients.
Flu is a serious illness and the vaccination is the most effective protection from it, including the swine flu virus. People in the ‘at-risk’ groups can be hit harder with the flu and suffer more complications.
Dr David Breen, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Lead Clinician for NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s Flu Immunisation Prgramme, said:
“GP practices in Dumfries and Galloway have already commenced the local vaccination programme and I would urge anyone who is entitled to a vaccination such as those in the at-risk groups, eg older people or those with chronic breathing or heart problems, to make sure they have taken the opportunity being made available. Flu strikes suddenly and can take immediate and severe effect – its never pleasant but most people can make a good recovery. However that’s why its important to make the appointment with their GP or make sure they attend their GP practice flu clinic. It only takes a few minutes to be vaccinated, but it will give protection against the flu for around a year.”
This year’s flu vaccine protects against three types of flu including the swine flu strain, which is still circulating. It takes about 10 days for you to be protected against the flu after having the jab so it’s best to get it as early as possible in flu season (from October onwards).
If you are confused about whether you eligible for the vaccine, or would like to find out more information about it, contact NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88 or log on to www.immunisationscotland.org.uk for further information on the immunisation programme.
