Fighting flu in Bradford and Airedale for International Infection Prevention Week

17 October 2011

Influenza, or 'flu', is a highly contagious acute viral infection that affects people of all ages. It typically starts suddenly with fever, chills, headache, aching muscles, extreme fatigue and a cough or other breathing difficulties. While most people recover without complications in one to two weeks, flu can cause serious illness and even death for those most vulnerable to infection. This is why a vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to patients at high risk of complications from flu infection, and to healthcare staff working with patients at high risk.

Dr Leena Inamdar, consultant in communicable disease control for Bradford at the Health Protection Agency Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This week is International Infection Prevention Week and so we’re reminding everyone in Bradford to take up the seasonal flu vaccination when offered by their GP or NHS employer to ensure they are protected. Flu can be a very serious illness in those who are most vulnerable such as pregnant women, the elderly and those with other underlying conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, lung, liver or renal diseases and those who have weakened immune systems.”

Flu viruses change continuously and the World Health Organization (WHO) monitors the epidemiology of flu viruses throughout the world. Each year a vaccine is produced based on the strains of virus expected to be circulating. Like last winter, H1N1v is likely to still be one of the flu strains that will circulate during the 2011/12 flu season and therefore the trivalent seasonal flu vaccine for the coming flu season will protect against this strain (H1N1v) and two others that are considered most likely to circulate (a type A flu virus and type B flu virus).

Dr Inamdar added: “There is good evidence that pregnant women are at increased risk from complications if they contract flu, particularly the H1N1v strain, and so once again this flu season, pregnant women are advised to have the seasonal flu vaccine irrespective of their stage of pregnancy.”

Linda Scott, immunisation and vaccination lead at NHS Bradford and Airedale, said: “It’s also important that front line healthcare workers and carers ensure they are vaccinated against flu in order to eliminate the risk of the infection spreading from staff to colleagues, their families and vulnerable patients. We mustn’t forget that healthcare workers may be at increased risk of exposure to flu compared with the general population – and they could also put other vulnerable patients at risk of infection if they catch flu. Flu can also cause widespread disruption to healthcare and other services in the winter months, so we need to ensure we’ve done everything we can to ensure health services in Bradford and Airedale can run smoothly this winter.

“In the 2010/ 11 flu season, less than half of all frontline NHS workers in the district were vaccinated against seasonal flu. While local vaccine uptake rates were higher than national figures for NHS workers, we still need to see far more healthcare staff in the district taking up the offer of vaccination if we are to effectively protect vulnerable groups in our local communities from flu.”

Linda added: “With flu season just around the corner it is also important that people remember how to reduce the spread of the virus by maintaining good cough and hand hygiene, such as covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, disposing of the tissue and cleaning your hands as soon as possible. These are all important actions that can help prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of flu transmission.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

• For further information, please contact the communications team at NHS Bradford and Airedale on: 01274 237719 or communications@bradford.nhs.uk Alternatively contact Charlotte Farrar at the Health Protection Agency Yorkshire and the Humber on 0113 284 0618 or charlotte.farrar@hpa.org.uk
• For further information on International Infection Prevention Week, go to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) website.
• Eligible groups for seasonal flu vaccination for 2011/12 flu season:
  • All patients aged 65 years and over
  • Pregnant women
  • Patients with: Chronic respiratory disease aged six months or older; chronic heart disease aged six months or older; chronic kidney disease aged six months or older; chronic liver disease aged six months or older; chronic neurological disease aged six months or older; diabetes aged six months or older; immunosuppression aged six months or older.
  • People living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities where rapid spread is likely to follow introduction of infection and cause high morbidity and mortality.
  • Carers who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.
• For key information on seasonal flu and previous years vaccination figures, visit the DH website
• Throughout the flu season the Health Protection Agency will be publishing a fortnightly report on influenza activity in the UK, which can be viewed from the HPA website
• Further information on influenza for the public is available at www.nhs.uk
  
   

Last reviewed: 20 October 2011