BRIGG FOLK URGED TO GET FLU JABS

FROM KIRSTY WESTFIELD, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

North Lincolnshire Council is encouraging people most at risk to have the flu vaccine this winter to prevent the chance of them getting a more serious illness.
Flu is an unpleasant illness, but if you are healthy it’s not serious and you will usually recover within a week or two. However for some people, catching the flu increases the risk of potentially serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia. These people are therefore advised to have a flu jab each year.

The injected flu vaccine is offered free on the NHS to people who are at risk. 

• You are eligible to receive a free flu vaccine if you: 
• Are 65 years-old or over 
• Are pregnant 
• Have certain medical conditions (check with your pharmacist or GP to see if you are eligible) 
• Are very overweight (Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40) 
• Are living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility 
• Receive a carer’s allowance or are the main carer for an elderly, or disable person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill 
• If you are a health and social care worker, check with your employer about who will pay for your flu vaccination 

Dr Nick Stewart, a local GP and North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s lead clinician for long term health conditions, said otherwise fit and healthy people will usually recover from flu within a week.
“However, some people are more likely to develop potentially serious complications of flu, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. We strongly advise them to take up the offer of a flu jab each year. This is really important if you have a long term health condition but also if you are a ‘carer’ for someone who relies on you to take care of them and can’t afford you to fall ill.”
The annual flu vaccine for children is available on the NHS as well from autumn 2015. 

The vaccine is recommended for:

• Children over the age of six months with a long-term health condition such as diabetes or lung disease 
• Healthy children aged two, three and four, and those in primary school aged five to seven years 
• Children at extra risk between the ages of six months and two years will continue to receive the annual flu jab. 
• Children aged two to 17 who are at extra risk from flu because they have a long-term health condition, such as diabetes, heart or lung disease will have the annual flu nasal spray instead of the annual flu jab. 

The number of people aged over 65 in North Lincolnshire that have had the flu vaccine is below average and is currently in the bottom 25 per cent of local councils across the country.
This is a further decline compared with rates in 2012/13. For those aged 65 and above in North Lincolnshire, the vaccine coverage has never risen above 72 per cent, meaning over a quarter of individuals aged 65 and over are still not vaccinated.
Currently rates for those individuals identified as ‘at risk’ from the flu, North Lincolnshire ranks at just below average. It has never exceeded 52 per cent, which was back in 2010/11.
Coun Rob Waltham (Brigg & Wolds), Cabinet Member for Health and Strategic Projects, said: “It’s important to get vaccinated against the flu annually as the strain of flu also changes year on year. Your local pharmacist or GP surgery will be able to answer any questions you may have about the flu vaccine.
“If you are eligible, make sure you have your vaccine each year to ensure you don’t put yourself at risk of other more serious illnesses.”
For more information on how to stay healthy this winter, visit the health pages on the council website: www.northlincs.gov.uk/people-health-and-care/health-and-healthy-lifestyle/winter-health.