Residents Urged To Take Up Flu Vaccine

Lesley Griffiths, Assembly Member for Wrexham is urging at risk groups in the constituency to get vaccinated to protect themselves from seasonal flu this winter.

The Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services this week launched a Wales wide vaccinations campaign in Shotton, Flintshire to increase uptake of flu immunisation this winter.

She is now urging people in at risk categories in Wrexham to make sure they take part in the Welsh NHS drive to keep the bug at bay.

Last year in the UK 27 people died as a result of seasonal flu, symptoms include headache, fever, cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints.

In Wales, 2009/10 was a particularly bad year, with the H1N1 epidemic and other strains of the virus circulating.

The winter of 2010/11 saw less incidences of the virus and this year the Welsh Government is seeking to reduce the figures further still, by encouraging vaccination uptake.

Those classed as “at risk” and being encouraged to get vaccinated are:

· Over 65s and people in long term care
· People with respiratory disease
· Some asthma sufferers
· People with heart, renal or liver disease
· People with neurological disease
· People with diabetes
· People who are immuno-suppressed
· Health professionals and paid or unpaid carers of the above
· Pregnant women.

If you are in one of the above groups, contact your GP surgery to arrange to be vaccinated.

Lesley Griffiths, Assembly Member for Wrexham said:

“Seasonal flu affects some more than others and at risk groups must seek to protect themselves. The nature of the virus means that each year, new, tailored vaccines must be made to match the ones doing the rounds. So, even if you have received a vaccine as recently as last year, this still means you need to update your immunity to protect yourself this winter.”

“The vaccine is quick, free and causes no flu like symptoms as it contains no live virus. However, by being vaccinated you give your immune system the information it needs to fight the virus quickly.

“This could prevent major health effects in these vulnerable groups, which is why the Welsh Government would like to see as many protected as possible.

“I would like to encourage those in at-risk groups in Wrexham to get down to their local GP and enquire about the vaccine, to protect themselves and those around them this winter.”