Vulnerable people urged to get flu jab (From This is Hampshire)
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Flu can be extremely serious for some
1:00pm Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News By Helen Morton
VULNERABLE people are being urged to get a flu jab to protect themselves and their loved ones from the seasonal infection which can have serious consequences.
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, SCAS, is making the plea to protect people against the flu and to help relieve winter pressures on the ambulance service.
Flu is a highly contagious infection that anyone can catch, and it can be an extremely serious illness for some.
In the financial year 2010-11, 9,000 patients were admitted to hospital with a flu-related illness. Of these, 2,200 were admitted to intensive care and 602 subsequently died.
Those at greater risk from flu, including the elderly, pregnant women, and those with long-term health conditions such as severe asthma, chest or heart complaints, liver or kidney disease and neurological conditions and diabetes, are encouraged to get a free flu jab from their GP.
Phil Convery, SCAS infection control lead, said: “Your local ambulance service is encouraging staff and members of the public to get a flu jab to help to relieve seasonal pressures on the service, and to help ensure that an ambulance response is available to those who will need it over the winter period when demand on the ambulance service is greatest.
“The flu vaccine changes every year to fight the latest strains of flu, so even if you had a jab last winter, you need another one this year.”
For more information, speak to your GP or local pharmacist, visit www.nhs.uk/flu.
