Region hit hard by flu last winter

Last winter over 1,290 people were admitted to hospitals across the region with a primary diagnosis of flu between November and February, with 331 people admitted to critical care over a four week period, figures released by NHS North West show.

Jane Cummings, chief nurse for the North West, is urging anyone who is entitled to a free flu jab to take up the offer as soon as possible this year.

She said: “People in the North West were hit particularly hard by flu last year. In the NHS we experienced high demand for intensive care beds before anywhere else in the country.

“We have some of the highest numbers of people who fall into the at risk groups in our communities. Last year just over half of the people aged under 65 who were at risk in our region were vaccinated. We know that the H1N1 flu virus will be circulating again this winter. The best step anyone who has an underlying health condition can take, to protect themselves from becoming seriously ill, is to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Your GP will contact you when the vaccine becomes available.”

The majority of people admitted to hospital had underlying health problems. People in at risk groups include: 

• Pregnant women
• People aged 65 and over
• Those with diabetes
• People who have a chest problem or breathing difficulties (such as asthma, bronchitis or emphysema)
• People with a heart problem
• Anyone with kidney disease or liver disease
• Those with a neurological condition (such as Parkinson’s or motor neurone disease)
• People who have a low immune system due to disease (such as cystic fibrosis or Crohn’s disease) or treatment (such as cancer treatment)
• Anyone who has had a stroke
• People who have a problem with the spleen (such as sickle cell disease) or if the spleen has been removed 

People should also have the vaccine if they live in a residential or nursing home or are the main carer of an older or disabled person.

GPs will be writing to their patients to invite them to attend a vaccination session. The vaccine can also be bought over-the-counter at most pharmacies.