Last week Nigel Huddleston MP attended Westminster Flu Day, a flu vaccine clinic held in the House of Commons, to encourage his constituents to get this season’s flu vaccine in line with Government recommendations.
50% of at-risk people and 27% of people over the age of 65 in the Mid Worcestershire area were not vaccinated against flu last year, even though the consequences of not having a flu vaccine can be serious. This compares to around 55% nationally of at-risk patients and 30% of people over the age of 65.
People in a risk group, such as pregnant women, people who are immunosuppressed and people with an underlying health condition such as liver disease and heart disease, are at significantly increased risk of dying as a result of flu.
Nigel said:
“Every year, an estimated 12,000 people die from seasonal influenza in England and Wales. Flu is the most frequent cause of death in pregnancy and very occasionally a child may die from flu. The best way to help protect yourself against the flu is to get the flu vaccine. I would urge everyone who is entitled to a free flu vaccine to go and visit their GP or pharmacist. “
In 2016/17 the following individuals are entitled to a free flu vaccine:
- All children aged 2-7 (but not 8 years or older) on 31 August 2016
- All primary school-aged children in former primary school pilot areas
- Those aged 6 months to under 65 years in a clinical risk group, such as:
- Chronic respiratory disease, such as severe asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis
- Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- Chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease
- Diabetes
- Splenic dysfunction
- A weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment)
- Pregnant women
- Those aged 65 years and over
- Those in long-stay residential care homes
- Carers
- Frontline health and social care workers
ENDS
For more information contact Thomas Barlow on 0207 219 0171 or [email protected].
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