Thousands are being urged to get flu jab before Christmas – are you among these 11 groups?
A MASS roll out of the coronavirus vaccine may have taken priority this week - but thousands are being urged to get their flu jab.
Some people with long-term underlying conditions may not realise they are at risk of serious illness from the seasonal winter bug, experts warn.
Those with chronic respiratory problems – such as COPD, emphysema or asthma – are highly susceptible.
In fact, people with these conditions are seven times more likely to die if they catch flu compared to healthy adults, health officials said.
But there are also a number of unrelated disorders which can pose issues, according to Public Health England.
People with cardiovascular problems, such as chronic heart disease, or who have had a stroke, are 11 times more likely to die.
Flu is highly infectious and typically circulates between December and March - which is why charities are calling on people to get their free flu jab before Christmas.
And as those who are most vulnerable to flu are also at high risk of severe illness from Covid-19, health experts say it's more important than ever to make sure they are vaccinated.
There are 11 conditions which put people at higher risk of severe illness from flu - and who are also eligible for the free jab:
- Chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as asthma (needing steroid inhaler or tablets).
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis.
- Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure.
- Chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five.
- Chronic liver disease.
- Chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease.
- Learning disability.
- Diabetes.
- Splenic dysfunction or asplenia.
- A weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment).
- Morbid obesity (defined as BMI of 40 and above).
The health service rolled out its biggest ever flu vaccination programme this year - with 30 million people eligible for free jabs.
As of the start of this month, anyone over the age of 50 can get a flu vaccine on the NHS. The other groups now eligible are:
- Pregnant women
- Those with certain pre-existing conditions
- NHS and social care workers
- All children up to year 7
- Household contacts of those who are clinically extremely vulnerable
Figures show that uptake in all vulnerable groups has been higher compared with this time last year, with the exception of pregnant women.
Data published last month by PHE suggested 72.9 per cent of those aged 65 and over had been vaccinated.
While 45 per cent of two-year-olds and 46.8 per cent of three-year-olds have had their jab.
The most vulnerable are also being encouraged to get a Covid vaccine as well as the flu jab this winter, once they have been invited to do so.
However, experts advise leaving at least a week between the two vaccines as not enough is known about the side effects of having them together.
Pharmacists - who perform large numbers of flu jabs every year - say take a break between the two jabs due to little data available on any side effects.
Provisional guidance published by Public Health England also suggests a gap of at least seven days when the roll-out is underway.
Andrew Lane, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, last night said: “It’s better to get your flu jab and Covid vaccination at least a week apart, because we currently lack data about the effects of having the flu and Covid vaccines close together.”
“Talk to your pharmacist or GP as soon as possible about getting the NHS flu vaccine, which is free to older people and other eligible groups.
“If your pharmacy can’t vaccinate you immediately then keep in touch with them so you can get the jab as soon as stock becomes available.
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“Everyone is understandably excited about the COVID vaccines, but we urge people not to forget about another virus that can kill – flu.
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“Flu vaccinations are more important than ever this year, because if you get flu and coronavirus at the same time, you’re more likely to be seriously ill or even die.
“We absolutely must avoid hospitals being overwhelmed by a double whammy of flu and coronavirus cases.”