Those 'at risk' will be invited to have the jab
Hammersmith and Fulham's 32 GP surgeries are gearing up to receive the first batch of the swine flu vaccine.
Those deemed to be 'at risk', such as pregnant women or those with chronic health problems, are likely to receive a letter from their doctor inviting them to be vaccinated.
“For the majority of healthy people we know that swine flu is still not proving to be a serious illness, but for some people, mostly with other existing health problems, it can prove quite nasty and occasionally fatal," said NHS Hammersmith and Fulham’s director of public health, Dr Dagmar Zeuner.
“I’d urge anyone who is in an at-risk group and receives a letter from their GP inviting them to be vaccinated against swine flu to take up the offer.”
The swine flu vaccines have undergone a series of tests before being granted a licence by the European Medicines Agency. “It’s very similar to other flu vaccinations which have also undergone extensive trials involving thousands of people,” said Dr Zeuner.
Those to be offered the vaccine include pregnant women and those who live with or care for people with suppressed immune systems. Anyone aged over six months with one of the following conditions are also advised to have the vaccine:
• chronic (long-term) lung disease, including people who have had drug treatment for their asthma within the past three years,
• chronic heart disease,
• chronic kidney disease,
• chronic liver disease,
• chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis),
• suppressed immune systems (whether caused by disease or treatment),
• diabetes
The delivery of the swine flu vaccination coincides with the beginning of the annual seasonal flu vaccination, which is offered to everyone aged over 65 and people of any age with one of the conditions listed above.
“The swine flu vaccination will not protect you against seasonal flu so if you are at-risk it is important to have both vaccinations," said Dr Zeuner.
Anyone who thinks they have swine flu is advised to call the National Pandemic Flu Line on 0800 1 513 100.
October 20, 2009