burdenworst

‘If you knew about flu you’d get the jab’ is the note of this
year’s flu rivalry aimed at the outstanding 65s and parents of children
aged over six months with asthma, diabetes or weakened immunity due
to disorder or treatment. These groups in particular should make an
date with their GP for their free annual flu jab advises Chief
Medical Catchpole Liam Donaldson.

Flu is highly transmissible. A sneeze can carry the flu virus and,
travelling at 80 miles per hour, reach distances of up to 30 feet
away. Emotional objects such as toys that deliver been coughed or sneezed
on can also pass on flu.

Last year three out of ten people superannuated over 65 motionlessly did not press
their flu jab while only half of children at serious risk of
contracting flu had their nudge. These groups are being targeted as
suggest of the Pivot on of Health’s annual flu immunisation campaign
to ensure they impart succeed their flu punch.

On the day that TV ads featuring a nasty ‘flu bug’ cartoon were
broadcast Chief Medical T-Man Liam Donaldson said:

“There is a grown-up adjustment between a chilling and flu – thousands of
deaths are linked to flu every year. Flu tends to model for up to two
weeks, giving you fevers, chills, extreme fatigue and aching muscles
as good as the more unreservedly-be fond of symptoms of sore throats and runny
noses.

“If you are 65 years or older, or you suffer from illnesses such as
asthma, diabetes or severe pity or kidney disease you are
principally at danger from flu. For the treatment of those most at danger, flu can hero
to more serious illnesses, including bronchitis or pneumonia and
could be produced end in hospitalisation or, in the most serious cases, death.

“If your child is already suffering from any of these illnesses then
winning flu can be perilous. Your child may not be skilled to fight idle
flu as effectively as other children and it could also make their
existing condition worse.

“People and children at endanger from the effects of flu trouble to get a
flu nudge every year. It only takes a minute to get the flu jab, but
this make protect you, your issue or grandchild due to the fact that 12 months. This
is why you should contact your GP and make an rendezvous to get your
voluntary annual flu thwack.”

Alpa Chhipa whose asthmatic son contracted flu when he was two said:

“My son Miraj developed flu which brought on an uncontrollable asthma
spell. It was so horrid as he was too young to disclose me what was
wrong-headed and how bad he felt. Miraj was rushed into Non-essential and
Emergency at our municipal dispensary and was in hospital for three days
while they tried to bring his asthma at the mercy of control using a
combination of steroids and antibiotics.

“Miraj now has a flu jab every autumn in preparation for the winter
and he has definitely benefited from this. I would back that
anyone who has a child with asthma discusses having the flu jab with
their GP. It doesn’t make significance to leave it to chance.’

Backing the Be subject to of Health’s flu immunisation campaign, ITV’s
‘This Morning’ Dr Chris Steele added:

“It is important for people of any age who are at risk from flu and
person ancient 65 or ended to get their unengaged flu jab. Conserve yourself
and your kinsmen; get the flu jab – come to injected, not infected.”

BBC Radio 2 DJ Terry Wogan said:

“I first got my flu dig a couple of years ago and it certainly
helped. I would encourage anyone atop of 65 to leak out their flu jab as it’s
essential over the extent of your health and familiarly being. Furthermore, what have you got
to give up – it’s free!”

1. You are at imperil from flu and entitled to a free flu poke if you are
aged 65 or over, resident in a long-stay residential care home,
suffer from diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma,
serious heart or kidney disease, are having cancer treatment, have
lowered immunity well-earned to HIV or are on steroid medication. If you have
a serious allergy to hens’ eggs or if you have at any point had a bad
allergic reaction to the flu vaccine, you shouldn’t get the flu thrust
vaccination.

2. To spot wide of the mark more about getting a flu jab afflict
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or http://www.dh.gov.uk, go to NHS Without interference Interactive
on digital satellite TV, or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

3. For images of the flu advertising action, including pictures of
Miraj, his mum and Dr Chris Steele fighting the flu insect suit
contact the Concern of Robustness Media Converge on 020 7210 5239/5257.

4. Quotes supporting the flu campaign from Sir Scaur Richard, actress
and comic Prunella Scales, botanist and TV presenter David
Bellamy, ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ Actress Nina Wadia and Manchester
Connected Footballer Paul Scholes are also convenient from the DH media
centre.

5. Destined for case studies of people who’ve had flu please contact Suzanne
Colmer, Sasha Chisholm, or George Ames on 0207 403 2230, or email
suzanne@forster.co.uk, sasha@forster.co.uk or george@forster.co.uk

6. The Chief Medical Fuzz and Chief Nursing Director Christine
Beasley have planned already urged NHS workers to up by example and leak out
their flu jab to help prevent the spread of flu and nurture those
they sadness an eye to heyday to day.

7. Statistics on perception of the flu vaccination are enchanted from a
Department of Health commissioned examination.

8. Flu facts and figures:

– The flu jab contains no animate virus so cannot give you flu.

– In most years it is estimated that several thousand deaths are
attributable to the complications of flu and around 10-15 percent of
the population exploit flu each year

– At least another 20,000, and in cold winters 40,000, people die as a
conclusion of cold weather

– Flu is highly contagious: 100,000 flu particles can be projected into
the air with ethical one sternutation

– In just 12 hours, the flu virus can invade 1 million of your nose and
throat cells

– The World Health Organisation maps flu viruses as they tourism throughout
the world and the vaccine is altered each year to ensure that it
gives the best protection against the latest strains.

Issued by the Dept of Health Press Office, UK