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Flu vaccination
Give your health the best Christmas present this winter and get
vaccinated against seasonal flu.
People in Medway who have been offered the flu
jab and have not yet been vaccinated are being urged to act,
following the first cases of serious illness in the UK caused by
flu this winter.
Some people elsewhere in the country are
critically ill in intensive care and there have been some deaths
from flu. Most of these cases are a result of the H1N1 strain which
causes swine flu.
Yet the data available* show that fewer than
37 per cent of people under 65 with health problems in Medway and
fewer than five per cent of pregnant women have had a flu
vaccination so far this winter.
“The NHS nationally is seeing an increase in
severe illness requiring critical care as a result of infection
with flu,” said Dr Alison Barnett, Director of Public Health for
Medway.
“People sometimes wrongly think of flu as
little worse than a bad cold. This is not the case. Flu symptoms
hit you suddenly and severely. They usually include fever, chills,
headaches and aching muscles, and you often get a cough and sore
throat at the same time.”
"The NHS offers vaccination to those most at
risk who, this year, include pregnant women.
“I would urge everyone eligible for the
vaccination to have it – it is the single best way to protect
yourself and it is not too late.”
The flu vaccination this winter protects
against three strains of flu, including swine flu, which is
expected to be the major strain circulating.
Those eligible for the flu jab include:
•
everyone over 65
•
babies (aged six months or more), children and adults with serious
long-term health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma,
or serious kidney disease and
•
pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy.
Consultant Nurse for Critical Care at Medway
NHS Foundation Trust Catherine Plowright was struck last year by
how long swine flu patients in intensive care took to recover.
She said: “They were usually the sickest
patients in the intensive care unit.”
People eligible for the flu vaccination should
already have been contacted by their GP practice with the offer of
the jab.
Dr Barnett added: “It takes a week to ten days
after the jab for your body to produce protective antibodies.
“That is why it is important that people
eligible are vaccinated as soon as possible, to ensure maximum
immunity as we move into the full-blown flu season.
“If people have not got an appointment for
vaccination, I would urge them to contact their GP practice to
arrange it.”
National research shows that the flu jab is
safe and effective including for pregnant women at any stage of
pregnancy.
The best way to stop flu spreading is by using
tissues to catch coughs and colds, throwing it away and washing
your hands - Catch It, Bin It, Kill It.
It is also advised to wash your hands
frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, especially
before eating or preparing food, and to clean items in your home
such as light switches, phones and door handles that are touched by
different people.
People with flu are asked to stay at home
wherever possible to avoid spreading the infection. Anyone
with health queries or concerns should speak to NHS Direct on 0845
4647, or visit www.nhs.uk
Most people with flu will get better in seven
to ten days. People whose symptoms suddenly get worse, or persist,
are advised to contact their GP.
When practices are closed over Christmas and
New Year, GP cover in Medway is provided by Medway On Call Care
(MedOCC) on 01634 891855.
* The data available are as of 14 December
2010, and come from 57 of the 61 GP practices in Medway.
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