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Free flu jab
01/10/2008
"Don't let the flu turn on you" warns the hard-hitting message at the heart of the new campaign being run this winter to protect those most vulnerable to the influenza virus from its potential consequences.
Scotland's annual awareness campaign aims to remind people in Scotland that three groups of people can, and should, get their free vaccination. The three groups are:
- All those aged 65 years of age and older
- All those which a medical condition which puts them in an 'at risk' group
- NHS Healthcare staff
Recent research indicates that some in at-risk groups do not think it necessary to get their vaccination or even realise they are eligible for this free jab. This year's new £475,000 campaign uses new television and radio advertisements, posters and leaflets with messages designed to encourage this group to get vaccinated.
Launching the campaign at the Craigmillar Medical Group in Edinburgh, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Well-Being Nicola Sturgeon said:
"Quite often older people and those with long term medical conditions such as chronic breathing and heart problems manage their condition well and can feel they are in good health. It is understandable that some people may feel it's not necessary to get their jab but it's vital that as we approach the winter months, those at greater risk are prepared.
"Many of us have had flu and know just quite how lousy it can make you feel and nasty it can be. It's not just a bad cold and for those in 'at-risk' groups, it really can - as our campaign says - turn on you.
"Medical practices will start inviting patients, holding flu clinics and publicising their programmes very soon and I would urge all those eligible to get their vaccine. There simply is no better way to protect yourself from the flu and its potential consequences."
Dr Jim McMenamin, Consultant Epidemologist at Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and Chair of the National Flu and Pneumococcal Group, said:
"Health-wise the difference between a rotten or a reasonable winter for anyone eligible for the flu vaccine is the decision they make about whether they take the flu vaccine.
"Every year people develop complications from flu that may mean weeks of treatment from their GP or, worse still, admission to hospital. Sadly we still see a number of people who die from the complications of flu every year.
"It is encouraging that every year so many people aged 65 or over take up the offer of their flu vaccine to protect their health and long may this continue. However many younger people do need to be reminded that because they have a medical condition that puts them more at risk of developing flu complications, they too are eligible for the flu vaccine.
"My advice is clear: if you're eligible for the flu vaccine, get the vaccination and "Don't let the flu turn on you".
The vaccination programme is due to begin in surgeries and medical centres across Scotland from the beginning of October 2008.
In the community, the vaccine will be available to those eligible from healthcare staff in general medical practice and they will be invited to attend the practice to get their vaccine. In hospital settings, the Occupational Health Service is the usual method of delivery for all vaccinations. Healthcare workers are usually vaccinated through their occupational health service. An information leaflet for the public and poster has been distributed to GPs, pharmacists and other health providers and will be available in other community settings such as libraries and in care homes and condition specific support groups and charities.
Each year in Scotland in excess of a million doses of the flu vaccine are made available for those aged 65 or over and those under the age of 65 at risk of complication, as well as healthcare staff eligible for the flu vaccine.
Each year anyone turning 65 by March 31 of the following year is also eligible for a free pneumococcal vaccination which prevents them from developing problems with bacteraemia, septicaemia or meningitis due to pneumococcal bacteria.
Those who are 'at risk' are people of all ages with long-term illnesses, including:
- Serious breathing problems, e.g severe asthma needing regular inhaled or oral steroids; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Serious heart conditions
- Diabetes
- Severe kidney or liver disease
- Serious neurological conditions, e.g. stroke or multiple sclerosis
- Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment, e.g. chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for cancer or long-term steroid use
- Problems with the spleen, either because the spleen has been removed (asplenia) or doesn't function properly, such as sickle cell disease
- Any other serious medical condition - patients are advised to consult their doctor, practice nurse or pharmacist
The health service was informed of arrangements for this vaccination programme in March this year and informed that the manufacturers Sanofi Pasteur MSD, Novartis Vaccines, GlaxoSmithKline, MASTA, Solvay Healthcare and Wyeth Vaccines had indicated that they will be supplying the UK market during the coming season.
Each annual influenza vaccination campaign is fully evaluated and this evaluation informs the delivery and messages for the next campaign. The evaluation of the 2007/08 campaign reported that just under half of the at-risk sample did not intend to get free flu jab in 2008, with some reporting their reason for this as they did not know they were eligible or did not think it necessary.