11
Dec 2018
Fall in take-up of flu jab urges push for patients to get vaccine before Christmas
Following a reduction in take-up of the flu jab on last year, Public Health England is urging the over 65s and pregnant women to get the vaccine this side of Christmas, before the virus usually starts to circulate.
It has been suggested that the vaccine will prove to be more effective than in previous years as it is well-matched to the circulating predominant strain, thought to be Influenza A (H1N1), otherwise known as swine flu.
Public Health England’s medical director Paul Cosford, said that only around 65 per cent of the over-65s and around 40 per cent of pregnant women had been vaccinated so far this year.
He said “It is even more important than ever that all those eligible take up the offer of the flu vaccine, especially before Christmas when many people will be gathering together with the added risk of spreading infection that this brings.”
There is strong evidence that pregnant women have a significantly higher risk of becoming seriously ill as a result of flu when compared with the general population, with the biggest risks in the last three months of pregnancy. Serious complications include septic shock, meningitis, encephalitis and pneumonia.
Although a shortage of the new vaccine was reported by GPs in November, following a staggered delivery of supplies from the manufacturer, the final batches of the vaccine have now been delivered.
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Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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