- Cymraeg
- English
LOCAL MP PROMOTES FLU JAB FOR THOSE AT RISK
October 10, 2008 12:05 PM
This week, Lembit Öpik, Liberal Democrat MP for Montgomeryshire was offered the flu vaccination, in line with Government recommendations, in a bid to encourage his constituents to be vaccinated against flu for this 2008/09 season.
Last year 64.5 % of people over 65 years and 42.1 % in at risk groups were vaccinated against flu in the Powys area.
Complications from flu can be severe, with as many as 3,000-4,000 deaths in the UK each year attributable to flu
The Department of Health provides free flu vaccinations for the following groups: those aged 65 or over; people with chronic respiratory disease (including asthma), heart, renal or liver disease; diabetes; low immune systems; as well as people living in long-stay facilities such as nursing and residential homes, and carers of elderly or disabled people.
The initiative is sponsored by the UK Vaccine Industry Group (UVIG) and has received the support of the Department of Health as a means of highlighting the importance of flu vaccination.
Commenting, Mr Öpik said:
"I strongly encourage all those people over the age of 65 and those in at-risk groups to visit their GP surgeries for a free flu vaccination.
"Flu vaccination plays an important role in protecting those people who are more susceptible to serious complications from the condition. For the average person, flu is a pretty grim infection, but it can be incredibly serious for people aged over 65 and those deemed to be at risk.
"This initiative is doing such valuable work in fighting the potential harm that flu can do and I hope that the take up for the vaccine in Powys will be higher this year than ever before."
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Alison Lawrence, UVIG
alison@uvig.org Mobile: 07811 101 723
Or
Frances Luff, UVIG
frances@uvig.org Mobile: 07939 010 394
Notes to Editors
Current UK Flu Vaccination Policy
According to the influenza immunisation program 2008/2009, influenza vaccination should be offered to:
1. All those aged 65 and over
2. All those aged over 6 months in the following clinical 'at-risk' groups:
o Chronic respiratory disease and asthma that requires continuous or repeated use of inhaled or systemic steroids or with previous exacerbations requiring hospital admission
o Chronic heart disease
o Chronic renal disease
o Chronic liver disease
o Chronic neurological disease
o Diabetes
o Immunosuppression
3. Those living in long-stay residential and nursing homes or other long-stay facilities
4. Those who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill. Vaccination should be given at the GP's discretion.
5. Healthcare workers in the NHS are being encouraged to take up vaccination, especially those employees directly involved in patient care.
WELSH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS DEMOCRATIAIDD RHYDDFRYDOL CYMRU
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats