One million Brits at risk of deadly asthma attacks after ‘shunning flu jab’

A MILLION asthma sufferers could be at risk of a fatal attack because they "shun" the flu vaccine, a charity has warned.

Coughs, colds and the flu are among the top triggers for asthma attacks - and those with the respiratory condition are at greater risk of serious complications if they come down with the flu.

Yet almost a quarter of Brits living with asthma weren't planning on having this year's flu jab, according to new research from Asthma UK.

A third said they weren't going to have the flu vaccine because they were worried about the side effects and a similar number said they were sceptical about how effective it really was in warding off infection.

The flu jab is the best protection against the nasty bug, with the NHS offering free vaccines every year.

Cold and flu is one of the top causes of asthma attacks in 81 per cent of people with asthma - which is why Asthma UK want more sufferers to get the vaccine ASAP.

Victoria Taylor, 29, ended up in hospital after contracting a bout of flu which triggered a massive asthma attack.

“When I got flu, I found myself struggling to breathe and had an asthma attack. It was terrifying and felt like my lungs were filled with cement.

"No matter how many times I used my blue inhaler I couldn’t get my breathing under control. I had to call an ambulance and spent a week in hospital recovering.

“I had no idea that flu could be so dangerous for people with asthma and it nearly killed me. Since then, I always get the flu jab and I’m urging everyone else with asthma to get it as it could save your life.”

The flu virus can inflame your airways - making them more narrow. That leaves people coughing, wheezing and gasping for breath.

The inflammation also means that people are more likely to react to other triggers like pollen or pollution - increasing the risk of an asthma attack.

FIND OUT MORE Is asthma a respiratory condition, what are the symptoms in adults and children and is it an allergy?

Asthma attacks kill three people a day in the UK,  with deaths tending to peak around the same time as deaths from flu.

The latest figures showing a 22-fold increase in flu deaths since 2005.

Flu outbreaks tend to occur anytime from mid-November onwards and they can still persist into early March.

That's why GPs are so keen you get your jab from the end of October, before the season really kicks off.

"It takes a couple of weeks for the vaccine to reach its maximum effectiveness," Professor Robert Dingwall, a flu expert at Nottingham Trent University previously told The Sun.

"So if you want to get the maximum benefit from it then having it earlier rather than later is better.

"That means if it shows up before Christmas, which is occasionally does, then the protection is in place.

"But if you can't get a vaccination by the end of October, it is still worth having whenever you can get it done."

If you have asthma but you're not eligible for a vaccine, talk to your GP who can assess people on a case-by-case basis.

Dr Andy Whittamore, Clinical Lead at Asthma UK and a practising GP said: “People with asthma who are shunning the flu jab could be playing Russian Roulette with their life.

"The majority of people with asthma say colds and flu are their top trigger so it makes sense for them to try and protect themselves by getting the flu jab.

“Unfortunately, there are lots of myths about the flu jab not working, causing side effects or causing flu, and our research shows this is preventing people from getting it.

“In fact, the vaccine can’t give you flu, the side effects are minimal and it could save people’s lives by preventing a life-threatening asthma attack. We are urging people to get the facts about flu so they can make an informed decision by visiting asthma.org.uk/flu.”

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