Don’t forget the other flu

With all the talk of swine flu over the past few months, it’s important not to forget about the seasonal strain of influenza too.

This year’s annual seasonal flu vaccination campaign is underway and people are urged to remember they need the protection that the annual flu jab provides now as much as ever.

Swine flu and seasonal flu are caused by different strains of the flu virus; having the vaccination for one does not mean you are immune to the other and vice versa.

Dr Wendy Richardson, Director of Public Health for Hull says:

“Every year a new vaccine is developed to protect against the strain of seasonal flu which we believe is most likely to affect people across the country. The swine flu pandemic has changed nothing in that respect – the seasonal flu campaign is running as normal and it is as important as it has ever been to take up the offer of the vaccination.

“Having the seasonal flu vaccination will not protect you against swine flu, and having the swine flu vaccination will not protect against normal seasonal flu.”

Everyone aged 65 and over is routinely offered the seasonal flu vaccination, as are younger people with long-term conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and serious kidney or liver disease. If you are eligible for the vaccination, your GP will write to you to invite you in for your free jab.

Around 15 million people in the UK have the jab, which must be administered every year as it is altered each year to match the seasonal flu strains in circulation. In Hull, some 42,000 people are estimated to be eligible for the seasonal flu vaccination.

Dr Richardson continues:

”People should not underestimate the effects of seasonal flu; it is not the same as getting a cold. It can seriously affect your health so, if you are in any of the ‘at risk’ groups, my advice, especially at this time of the year, is to visit your local surgery and get the vaccination as soon as possible.”

Visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/Flu-jab for further details.