This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Winter flu campaign begins
04/10/2004
The annual campaign to raise awareness and protect those
most vulnerable against the complications of flu this
winter begins today.
The Don't Let the Bug Bite campaign seeks to remind
everyone aged 65 and over, and those under 65 with long
term medical conditions such as heart, asthma, diabetes,
and kidney disease, to consider protecting themselves from
the virus over the winter by being immunised.
The publicity campaign for flu and pneumococcal
immunisation includes national and local TV, radio and
press advertising and is supported by public information
leaflets and resources for health professionals.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Peter Donnelly
said:
"During most of the year we often forget how damaging
the influenza virus can be to our health. But we know that
when flu does strike, some in our communities are more
susceptible than others and with winter approaching we are
again reminding those with medical conditions and those
over 65 that they are eligible for a free flu jab from
their GP practice.
"The campaign which begins today helps to support our
annual vaccination programme, supporting advice given by GP
practices and NHS Boards and encouraging those eligible who
may not yet have been contacted by their GP practice to
speak to them about getting the jab this year.
"Traditionally the annual campaign plays an important
part in increasing the numbers of people being vaccinated
against flu and in recent years, in Scotland we have seen
more than a 70% take up in the jab for over 65s.
"Its unfortunate that as the campaign begins, some
Scottish practices have needed to delay vaccination at the
start of the programme to some patients in the short-term
due to delays in the delivery of their orders from one of
the six vaccine suppliers.
"However, contingency arrangements are in place and all
those eligible who would wish to receive the vaccine will
do so."
A pneumococcal vaccination is also available to those
over 65 who have not previously had this vaccination.
It protects against invasive pneumococcal infection
which can cause severe forms of pneumonia, septicaemia and
meningitis.
Dr Jim McMenamin, Scottish Centre for Infection and
Environmental Health, said:
"There are some people who are at greater risk catching
the flu bug than others. For these vulnerable people we
know that flu vaccination programmes throughout the world
have been very successful in protecting them against the
flu virus.
"Each year the flu vaccine is adjusted to provide the
best protection against the flu viruses circulating across
the world. The vaccine should give good protection against
the flu strains that have been shown to be freely
circulating across the globe. Meantime we will keep a
watchful eye both at home and on the flu situation across
the world."
The Executive's integrated publicity campaigns for flu
and pneumococcal immunisation will cost £427,000.
Advice on flu, vaccination and what do to if you get flu
is available from the NHS Helpline on
0800 22 44 88 and GP practices.
The flu vaccine administered each year offers protection
against three strains of flu virus (Two influenza A strains
and one influenza B strain).
These strains are chosen on the basis of their suspected
or proven ability to produce widespread community outbreaks
of influenza.
While small numbers of new human cases of a highly
pathogenic avian influenza (an H5N1 flu virus) continue to
be reported from SE Asia in none of these cases has
widespread community involvement been recorded.
The World Health Organisation is continuing to closely
observe the situation in SE Asia.
The two target groups are:
- People aged 65 and over
- People of all ages with a long-term illness
including:
Serious and chronic respiratory conditions, e.g. asthma
needing regular inhaled or oral steroids or previously
requiring hospital admission, children who have previously
been admitted to hospital for lower respiratory tract
disease, cystic fibrosis and others
Serious and chronic heart conditions, e.g. congenital
heart defects
Severe and chronic renal disease, e.g. nephritic
syndrome, chronic renal failure, renal transplantation
Diabetes requiring medication
Problems with the spleen, either because the spleen has
been removed
(Asplenia) or doesn't work properly, e.g. sickle cell
disease, coeliac disease