Accept flu jab invite, says HPA

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People who are invited to have flu immunisation on the NHS should accept the offer of vaccination to protect themselves and their families, says the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

People eligible for a flu jab include:

• For the first time, pregnant women
• Those aged 65 or over
• Those who live in residential care homes
• Those who care for people who are elderly or infirm
• People with a history of chronic illness including heart conditions, kidney disease, chronic asthma or diabetes that requires medication
• Those with lowered immunity to infection as a result of illness or treatment, such as steroid medication or cancer treatment

HPA North West Director Professor Qutub Syed said: “The majority of people recover from flu without any specific treatment other than by taking bed rest and lots of drinks to replace lost fluids.

“However, flu is more than a bad cold and it can affect some people very badly, particularly older people and people with suppressed immune systems. These people should accept the offer of immunisation.

“I welcome the fact that pregnant women are included in the programme for the first time because they were amongst those most severely affected during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.”

Throughout the flu season, which usually begins in October and can last until April, the HPA will monitor levels of flu activity in the UK population and undertake laboratory testing to identify the strains of flu viruses that are circulating in the community and the levels of each strain.

Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the HPA, said: “We can never predict what will happen in any flu season but we will remain vigilant and assess the situation as more information becomes available from our surveillance systems and from the virus samples.

“We should expect that flu viruses will circulate this winter and it remains important for everyone in an at-risk group to receive their flu jab.”