This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Launch of winter flu campaign
23/09/2002
The Executive's £12 million winter flu campaign was launched today.
This year's campaign - Don't Let Flu Strike - will encourage everyone aged 65 and over, and those under 65 with long term medical complaints, to come forward for their free winter jab. It aims to build on the high level of uptake achieved over the last two years and protect those most vulnerable against the complications of flu this winter.
Last year, NHS Scotland largely achieved its uptake target of 65 per cent for those aged 65 and over. This year's target has been set at 70 per cent. To help achieve this an individual letter will be sent to those eligible for immunisation on age grounds.
The Executive's campaign will also include:
* TV and press advertisements from the end of September to early December;
* TV advertisements in 110 GP surgeries across Scotland during October and November;
* billboard posters in inner city areas where uptake was low last year; and
* posters on buses.
Speaking at the launch in Edinburgh today Mr Chisholm warned against public complacency about flu. He said:
"After two winters of relatively low levels of flu, people need to be aware that previous years' immunisations will not protect them against this year's strain of flu. To achieve protection this year, it is vital for everyone in the targeted groups to come forward for a free flu jab this
year.
"Around 800,000 Scots aged 65 and over and those with longer term medical complaints such as diabetes, asthma and kidney disease are being targeted through this year's campaign.
"To help doctors achieve this higher uptake target, the Executive has devised a new publicity campaign to inform and capture the attention of those most at risk. The Executive has also arranged to issue an information letter, signed off by flu co-ordinators for each board area, to those eligible to receive free immunisation on age grounds. The letter will remind them of their eligibility and will urge them to contact their GP practice if they do not hear about an appointment for immunisation by mid October.
"As in previous years, arrangements for flu immunisation will be made through GP practices from early October onwards. I am also pleased to see that for the first time ever a community pharmacist in Aberdeen will be carrying out flu immunisations for those in the under 65 at risk groups."
Charles Michie, the Community Pharmacist in Aberdeen said:
"The high street pharmacy is a focal point for health care and in Scotland 6,000 people visit their pharmacy every day. The innovative idea of NHS Grampian is a good example of how close partnership and new methods of working can help to take the health service to the patient."
Dr David Love, Joint Chairman of the BMA's Scottish GP Committee, said:
"GPs are busy preparing for this winter's battle against the flu bug by putting in place the systems needed to reach and protect as many older Scots as possible. Many patients will be offered the flu vaccination when they are in on routine visits, but extra clinics, call and recall systems and care home visits are also being organised along with locally led publicity campaigns.
"Flu can be very serious for older people, so take up your GP's offer of the flu vaccination and be protected this winter."
James Kennedy, the Royal College of Nursing Scotland Secretary said:
"We welcome this drive to encourage those at risk to be vaccinated against flu. Flu injections offer essential protection from sufferers of illnesses such as asthma and diabetes as well as older people."
Maureen O'Neill, Age Concern Director said:
"Age Concern supports the provision of flu jabs and particularly for those who are frail, and encourages them to attend their GP practice as soon as possible."
The cost of the immunisation programme will be around £11.7 million including the cost of vaccines approximately £4.6m, payments to GPs £5.6 million and the £1.5 million marketing campaign.
Supplies of leaflets and posters will be issued directly to GPs, pharmacists, NHS Boards and Primary Care Trusts to supplement their local publicity materials. These will be issued from week beginning 23 September.
P practices and health centres will have ordered their own stocks of vaccine for the campaign and some of these have already been delivered. The Executive will also hold a contingency stock of vaccine to meet any discrepancies between supply and demand throughout the campaign.
Similar to last year, the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) will carry out the monitoring of flu immunisation uptake and flu incidence.
Last year NHS Boards delivered the following take-up results of the jab:
Board Coverage
Ayr & Arran 67.39
Borders 70.92
Dumfries & Galloway 72.27
Fife 68.03
Forth Valley 68.89
Grampian 67.90
Greater Glasgow 61.59
Highland 57.48
Lanarkshire 59.09
Lomond & Argyll 66.93
Lothian 65.89
Orkney 66.24
Renfrew & Inverclyde 63.84
Shetland 61.44
Tayside 67.30
Western Isles 50.62
West Lothian 65.27