HPA North West Urges: “Protect Yourself from Flu”

5 December 2008

Flu is circulating in the community for the first time this year, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West reported today.

The Agency is urging eligible people who have not yet had their free flu jabs to contact their GPs to arrange for immunisation now. It is not too late.

Dr. Roberto Vivancos, the Agency's Influenza Lead for Cheshire and Merseyside, said: "Influenza is beginning to circulate in the community with rates on Merseyside and in parts of Cheshire significantly higher than the national and regional averages.

"Flu can be a serious illness and should not be treated lightly. Three to four thousand deaths are linked to it each year in the United Kingdom and people aged 65 and over are particularly vulnerable, even if they are otherwise fit and healthy.

"Uptake of the flu jab is particularly low amongst children suffering from chronic illness, like diabetes and asthma, because parents do not realise that their child is at risk of flu and eligible for vaccination.

"I would strongly advise people who have not yet responded to their invitations to have a free flu jab on the NHS to arrange to have one now."

People are eligible for a free flu jab on the NHS if they:

Are aged 65 or older
Live in a long-stay residential home
Are carers of people who are elderly or infirm
Children and adults of any age with chronic illness including chronic heart, lung, liver, kidney disease, asthmatics on steroids, diabetes requiring medication, and diseases of the nervous system like strokes or ministrokes.
Those with weakened immunity to infection due to disease or treatment, e.g. cancer treatment, HIV or chronic steroids.

Press release issued by Hugh Lamont, Communications Manager, HPA North West. Tel. 07764-906508 or 0151-482-5728.

NOTE TO EDITOR

Influenza or 'flu' is a respiratory illness associated with infection by influenza virus. Symptoms frequently include headache, fever, cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints. There is a wide spectrum of severity of illness ranging from minor symptoms through to pneumonia and death. Influenza occurs most often in the winter months, and normally peaks between December and March in the Northern hemisphere.

Consultation rates of influenza-like illness:
National: 13.8 cases per 100,000 of population
North West: 13.6 per 100,000

Central & Eastern Cheshire: 12.3 per 100,000
Halton & St. Helens: 13.8 per 100,000
Knowsley: 33.1 cases per 100,000
Liverpool: 29.2 per 100,000 of population
Sefton: 23 per 100,000
Warrington: 29.6 per 100,000
Western Cheshire: 15 per 100,000
Wirral: 10.9 per 100,000

Frequently asked questions on influenza:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1195733852084?p=1191942171475

Last reviewed: 5 December 2008