7/11/2005

Family doctors in West Gloucestershire are backing the national drive to ensure their 'Over 65' and 'high risk' patients have been booked in for an annual appointment for a flu vaccination.

The Primary Care Trust is gearing itself up for a major information campaign to press home the message 'prevention is better than cure' with health officials striving to relieve avoidable pressures on the NHS this winter.

Dr Hugh Annett, Director of Public Health at West Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust said: "The occasional bout of flu is not a serious matter for most healthy people, but if you are vulnerable, flu can lead to complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis."

"Having an annual flu jab is extremely important if you fall into any of the high risk groups. Not only will it help protect you from flu viruses this winter, it could keep you out of hospital and may save your life."

The Department of Health guidelines strongly recommend the influenza vaccine for the following groups:

all over 65s; and anyone with:

* a chronic heart or chest complaint, including asthma
* serious kidney disease
* serious liver disease
* diabetes
* lowered immunity due to illness or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
* any other serious medical condition - check with your doctor if you are unsure.

The Department of Health also recommends the vaccine for people who live in a residential care home or for individuals who are carers for older or disabled people.

People over 65 or in one of the 'high risk' groups, may be invited to make an appointment to have the vaccination at their local surgery and Dr Annett added:

"If you think that you or a person you look after should have the vaccination, contact your local surgery to seek their advice and arrange an appointment if appropriate."

"The procedure is simple and straightforward," explained Dr Mike Roberts, Chair of the PCT's Professional Executive Committee and GP from Rosebank Surgery.

"A small injection is given by the doctor or practice nurse although the immunisation may need to be delayed if you have a cold or feel under the weather."

"You may be asked to wait in the surgery for around 10 minutes following the vaccination to ensure there has been no adverse reaction. Some patients may experience a slight aching for a day or two where the injection has been given, although this is a completely normal reaction to the vaccine."

Immunisation against flu needs to be repeated every year. The aim of the National 'Get the Right Treatment' campaign is to inform people about flu and flu vaccinations and to help people to consider whether they know anyone else - family members, friends, neighbours - who might need the flu vaccination and suggest that they contact their doctor.

Public Health doctors are also supporting the call for people aged 75 or over to take up the offer of a 'pneumo' jab to help protect against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis.

The pneumococcal vaccine has been used successfully in a number of countries, including the UK where it has been used for more than 10 years.

Dr Annett again:

"You can have the 'pneumo' jab at the same time as your flu jab to save an extra visit to the doctors. Don't forget to ask".