The Minister for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths has encouraged those most at risk from the complications of flu to protect themselves by taking up the vaccination.
Launching a campaign that aims to increase the number of people who contact their doctors to ask for the seasonal ‘flu jab, the Minister was at Shotton Lane Surgery in Flintshire, North Wales.
She said:
“It is vital that people in the ‘at risk’ categories make an appointment. Each year, the vaccine changes to reflect the viruses that are circulating, so just because you had the injection last year does not necessarily mean you’ll be protected this year. You have to be vaccinated again to be protected this winter.”
Those being encouraged to get vaccinated are:
- over 65s and people in long term care;
- people with respiratory disease
- some asthma sufferers;
- people with heart, renal or liver disease;
- people with neurological disease;
- people with diabetes;
- people who are immuno-suppressed;
- health professionals and paid or unpaid carers of the above; and
- pregnant women.
Dr Tony Jewell, the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, warned that low vaccination rates could lead to a significant rise in sickness and deaths this winter.
He said:
“For fit and healthy people, the symptoms of ‘flu may be mild and they will recover quickly. However, people living with long term conditions, older people and pregnant women are more likely to suffer severe complications.
“Pregnant woman are more vulnerable to ‘flu than the general population and this risk is greatest in the last three months of pregnancy. The vaccine will protect mother and baby against ‘flu.”
People in at-risk groups, even if they feel fit and healthy, are being urged to contact their GP surgeries to arrange to receive the vaccination as early this winter as possible. An awareness campaign is also running throughout October and November.
Shotton Lane patient, Gary Needham, was diagnosed with diabetes a few years ago. He said:
“I signed up for the vaccine on recommendation from the practice nurses following my diagnosis. At 48, I had never thought of myself as needing the jab, nor did I think I was eligible for it. I thought it was only for people over 65.
“My surgery is very pro-active and supportive – because of this I managed to come off the medication needed to control my diabetes for a long time. The ‘flu can badly affect my blood sugar levels, and the ‘flu jab helps keep me healthy.”
Dr Jewell added:
“Vaccines are one of the most effective public health interventions for saving lives and protecting our health. They are the simplest and safest way of protecting people from seasonal ‘flu and its complications.
“Many people think that ‘flu is just a bad cold, but in fact it is much worse and can lead to other severe health complications. People know that the vaccine is available for the over 65s, but many people living with other health conditions aren’t always aware that they can get vaccinated as well. It is really important that people who are in at-risk groups do get vaccinated.”
The Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, will be receiving her flu vaccination for this winter, and is encouraging other over 65s and people in the at-risk groups to do so as well.
She said:
“People who are over 65, even if they feel fit and well, should get vaccinated against seasonal flu. When you are older, you are more likely to have complications like bronchitis or pneumonia, which may result in a stay in hospital or cause you to lose your independence.
“The vaccination does not cause you to get the ‘flu as it does not contain any live virus. It works by stimulating the body’s immune system into reacting as if there was a real infection- which the body will remember so it can fight it off quickly if met again.
“It is also important that carers of elderly or disabled people should also be vaccinated to ensure that those they look after will stay healthy and cared for.”
