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