The campaign to boost flu injection uptake has swung into action.
People are being urged not to ignore the letter from their GP inviting them to have the free vacination.
Elderly people, people with chronic illnesses or damaged immune systems as well as pregnant women are all being targeted this year and reminded that, for them, flu can be far more serious than just a few unpleasant days in bed.
Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus Medical Director Dr Malcolm Ridgway is backing the campaign.
He said: “If an older person or someone who already has a serious health condition catches flu they can easily end up in hospital with bronchitis or pneumonia. There’s a much higher risk of them developing serious complications from the virus and it can even kill certain individuals.”
Pregnant women will be told about the vaccine by their midwives as flu in pregnancy can increase the chance of developing complications.
Care Trust Plus commissioning staff are being offered four clinics where they can take up the offer of a free flu jab.
In addition, to the letters going out to patients, Strategic Health Authority leaflets have been sent to practices, pharmacies and community venues. Information is being posted on both the Care Trust Plus and Council websites and intranets and sent to the local media. An advertising awareness campaign with Bee Radio is also planned.
Last year the borough achieved take up rates of:
|
BwD
|
2010-11
(actual)
|
|
Patients aged 65+
|
72.9%
|
|
At risk groups <65 (excluding pregnant women)
|
53.4%
|
|
All pregnant women
|
35.6%
|
