People eligible for the flu vaccine are being urged to act early and get protected ahead of winter, as the national flu vaccination programme gets underway. Continue reading National flu vaccination programme launched
Tag: flu vaccination
Winter health crisis: Scotland’s flu rates double in a week
“Vaccination is the best defence against flu”
The number of people suffering from flu-like illnesses in Scotland more than doubled in the first week of 2018 compared to the previous week and is four times higher than the same week in 2017. Continue reading Winter health crisis: Scotland’s flu rates double in a week
Parents urged to return flu vaccination consent forms
Childhood flu vaccination programme underway for primary school children
Parents across the Lothians are being urged to return their children’s flu vaccination consent form as soon as possible to ensure they are protected against flu this winter. Continue reading Parents urged to return flu vaccination consent forms
Heart condition? Get the flu jab!
One third of people hospitalised last winter had heart condition
People with heart conditions and other underlying health conditions are being urged to get their flu vaccination as early as possible this winter to protect themselves from an unpredictable virus. Continue reading Heart condition? Get the flu jab!
Vulnerable groups urged: get vaccinated
Scotland’s senior health professional has called on people with underlying health conditions in the Lothians to get protected from flu following the release of new figures showing that over half of people in this group were still to be vaccinated this year.
Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, Sir Harry Burns made his plea as new figures were released for flu vaccination uptake since the campaign started on 1 October 2013. The figures show that a number of people have yet to be vaccinated in the Lothians NHS area, including:
– 54 per cent of people under 65 with underlying health problems such as
asthma and diabetes
– 58 per cent of pregnant women
– 56 per cent of two and three year olds
Getting protected from flu is important for individuals with underlying health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, MS and other heart, lung and liver problems and those suffering from lowered immunity) as well as pregnant women. These groups can be hit harder with flu and can suffer more serious complications, even if they previously felt fit and healthy.
Catching flu can cause unnecessary worry for friends and family as well as posing a risk of spreading the virus.
Sir Harry said: “Flu strikes suddenly and it’s important to be prepared. If you have a long-term medical condition, the best way to protect yourself is to get the vaccine. It is not too late for those who have not received their flu vaccine to do so.
“The flu vaccine only takes a few minutes, but will offer protection for around 12 months.”
“It is equally as important to ensure that if your child is invited to get vaccinated against flu, you take up the offer as children are unlikely to have built up immunity from previous infections. In fact, youngsters are two to three times as likely to be ill with flu than adults.
Dr Lorna Willocks, Flu Immunisation Co-ordinator at NHS Lothian, said: “Flu survives better in a cold environment and flu viruses will circulate across Scotland as we move deeper into winter. People need to be aware that flu is much worse than a bad cold and can make adults and children very unwell.
“If you are in an eligible group then it’s very important to ensure that you are vaccinated to reduce the risk of you catching flu and suffer serious complications. I would like to urge all remaining local people who are eligible for the flu vaccine to speak with their GP practice to arrange to get their free vaccination.”
If you would like to find out more information about the flu vaccine, contact NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88 or log on to www.immunisationscotland.org.uk
