The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is reminding all those in a clinical “at risk” group, who have been invited for flu vaccination by their GP and who have not yet received it, to take up the offer.
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According to the HPA’s Weekly National Influenza Report, figures show that 61% of over 65’s, 16% of pregnant women and 37% of those in a clinical risk group aged under 65 years have been vaccinated to date.
It is not yet known which flu strains will be most common this winter but getting vaccinated now will provide important protection over the coming winter months against the strains that do circulate – including H1N1 ‘swine’ flu. Last winter there were 602 confirmed flu deaths reported to the HPA. Where the strain of flu virus was known, H1N1 was linked to 90% of the confirmed flu deaths. 7 out of 10 of the fatal confirmed flu cases were in an “at risk” group.
Pregnant women have been included as a new risk-group for seasonal flu vaccination since the pandemic as they have a higher risk of hospitalisation and death following flu compared to the general population. Last winter, nine pregnant women were reported to have died following a confirmed flu infection.
Dr Richard Pebody, head of flu surveillance at the HPA said: “The point of flu vaccination is to protect individuals against flu infection. Although the current flu vaccine is not 100% effective, it still provides valuable protection in a significant proportion of those who are vaccinated, depending upon the circulating strain.
“If you are in one of the clinical at risk groups, you still have time to get vaccinated this season. Flu vaccination is an important part of keeping the UK population as healthy as possible each winter.
“Seasonal flu can be very serious and results in between 2,000 – 5,000 excess deaths each year. GPs are now inviting those in a clinical at-risk group to be vaccinated. Please ensure you take up the offer as soon as possible to reduce your risk of serious complications from flu.
“Very little flu is currently being seen in the UK but those who need to get vaccinated should not delay, as flu is expected to increase as usual during the coming winter months”.
