In the run up to Christmas and the New Year, health officials in Wales have urged all those in ‘at risk’ groups to protect themselves against flu and stay protected throughout the winter too. This includes all those aged 65 or over, pregnant women, and those with long term health conditions.
The usual rounds of coughs and cold are circulating this winter, but health officials are wary that flu could start circulating at any time. For those meeting in large groups of people, or travelling a lot over this festive period, the message of hygiene and ‘Catch It. Bin It. Kill It.’ is especially important.
Dr Richard Roberts, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Programme at Public Health Wales, has commented: “For most healthy people, influenza (or ‘flu’) is usually an unpleasant, but uncomplicated illness, which usually means a few miserable days at home.
“However, for those in ‘at risk’ groups flu can sometimes result in serious complications, and can even be life threatening. Because we haven’t seen a serious outbreak of flu for a number of years, people can forget how serious flu can be.”
Latest figures released this week show that currently, 64.8% of those aged 65 or over have received their free flu vaccination. This makes them the best performing of all the ‘at risk groups’, currently being closest to the 75% vaccination uptake target.
The statistics also reveal that those suffering with long term health conditions have been eager to take up the free vaccination on offer, with 46.7% already having opted for protection. This includes those suffering respiratory illnesses, kidney, heart, liver and neurological diseases, as well as those with immuno-suppression due to treatment for diseases such as cancer.
However, pregnant women are currently the group least protected against the flu, according to the stats. Worryingly, just 38.9% have taken up their free vaccination so far.
A pregnant woman who contracts flu is five times more likely to have a stillborn baby or for their baby to die in the first week. They are also three times more likely to deliver prematurely, as well as being seven times more likely to die than a non-pregnant woman with flu.
Dr Roberts urges all those in ‘at risk’ groups who are still unprotected to follow some simple steps to reduce their risk of catching flu: “These groups should be especially careful this winter to avoid the catching flu, whilst others should be vigilant not to spread it to others if they have it.
“By following the ‘Catch It. Bin It. Kill It.’ motto, you can help protect yourself and others from catching flu. Every time you sneeze or cough, catch it in a clean tissue and then immediately throw it in the bin, and clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer.
“Once flu is spreading widely, apart from vaccination, hygiene is the only method that can help prevent spread.”
The annual flu vaccination programme aims to ensure that the people who need it most get free protection each year against the flu. This includes everyone aged 65 and over and people with certain long term health conditions, as well as pregnant women.
This year for the first time a flu nasal spray vaccine was offered to children who were two or three years old on 1 September and school year 7 pupils. The younger children had the spray in their GP practice while Year 7 children received their nasal spray vaccine in school.
