SHETLAND NHS BOARD NEWS RELEASE

Transcription

1 SHETLAND NHS BOARD NEWS RELEASE Seasonal flu immunisation The seasonal flu immunisation campaign started on 1 st October. As in previous years, people in Shetland aged 65 and over, along with pregnant women and other younger people considered to be at high risk if they catch flu, are being urged to take up the offer of a free seasonal flu jab. And, as last year, all pre-school children aged 2 to 5 years and all primary school aged children are also being offered the vaccination. Most of them will be able to have the nasal spray (Fluenz Tetra) instead of a jab, as will most secondary school aged children in the high risk groups. The nasal spray is more effective than the injection at preventing flu in children. Adults and secondary school aged children in risk groups, along with pre-school children will get their vaccination from their GP practice as usual: each of the GP practices in Shetland will inform their patients of the arrangements for receiving the vaccine this year. And, as in previous years, patients aged 65 and over will also receive a standard letter sent on behalf of the Scottish Government. Flu vaccinations can be given anytime between October and March; but most are given in October and November before flu starts circulating in the community, which is usually in December or later. Flu vaccination for primary school children has been arranged through the School Health Team. Consent packs have already been sent out to parents through the schools. If parents want their primary school aged

2 child to have the flu vaccine they must return the consent to their child s school as soon as possible, if they have not already done so. Primary school children will receive their nasal flu vaccine in school between October and December. There will also be a separate clinic in October for primary school aged children who have certain medical conditions. A very small number of children cannot have the nasal vaccine and the School Health Team will arrange for them to have the injection instead, usually at their GP practice. If parents and carers have any questions about the school flu vaccination programme, they should contact School Health on Lerwick Health Centre patients (adults) who are eligible for the vaccination will be invited to attend one of the flu fairs at Clickimin Leisure Centre. These will be held on Tuesday 27 th October and Tuesday 3 rd November. If you are invited to come to one of the flu fairs but cannot make it, then you can attend the other one, or contact Lerwick Health Centre to make other arrangements. Please note that these clinics are for patients aged 18 years and over only. Pre-school children and secondary school aged children who are in a risk group must have an appointment at the Health Centre. Other Health Centres are also holding dedicated flu clinics. Brae Health Centre is holding walk in clinics for eligible patients registered at Brae. These clinics will be at the Brae Public Hall on Tuesday 6 th October and Tuesday 27 th October both pm. The Scalloway Health Centre is holding walk in clinics for eligible adults registered at Scalloway on Wednesday 7 th and Wednesday 28 th October from 3.00pm until 7.00pm. Clinics for pre-school and at-risk secondary aged children in Scalloway will be notified at a later date: look out for local publicity or contact the practice.

3 Patients registered with the Unst Health Centre can attend a walk in clinic at the Baltasound Hall on Thursday 12 th November from 6.00pm to 9.00pm or on Friday 13 th November from 9:00am to 11:00am. The Yell Health Centre is holding walk in clinics for its patients at local public halls: Mid Yell Public Hall on Wednesday 28 th October 2pm-4pm and Thursday 12 th November 2pm-4pm; Burravoe Public Hall on Thursday 29 th October 2pm -4pm and Cullivoe Public Hall Thursday 5 th November 2pm-4pm. Patients registered with any of the other Health Centres / GP Practices should contact their own practice, or look out for local publicity, to find out how to get their flu jab. Some practices will send out appointments to individual patients. If you have any questions about the vaccination, appointments or clinics, please contact your own GP practice. Dr Susan Laidlaw, Consultant in Public Health Medicine said: Each year there are slightly different strains of seasonal (winter) flu circulating in the community, this is why a new vaccine has to be given each year. The vaccine helps to protect people who are more vulnerable to flu and the complications of flu, including people over 65, those with certain medical conditions and pregnant women. Flu can also be very serious for children, particularly the youngest ones who have little or no immunity to the infection, which is why we now offer flu immunisation to all preschool and primary school aged children. Most children will have the nasal spray vaccine, as this works better in children than the injections. This year the nasal vaccine protects against four strains of flu virus. And the nasal spray has the added benefit of making it as simple as possible for children to get vaccinated and be protected.

4 All frontline NHS staff should also have the flu jab every year. The uptake amongst NHS Shetland staff increased last season, and more staff are being encouraged this year to get vaccinated to protect both themselves and their patients. NHS staff should contact the Occupational Health Department for further information: independent contractor staff should contact their employer. Social care workers are also eligible for the flu jab and should contact their employer to find out how to get it. Further information on the flu vaccination is available from the Immunisation Scotland website : END

5 NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS 1. The following groups of people are being advised to have the seasonal flu vaccination this year: Everyone aged 65 and over Children over six months old and adults with any of the following: A serious heart or respiratory condition Kidney or liver disease Diabetes Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment Multiple sclerosis, other conditions of the nervous system or stroke Morbid obesity (BMI of 40 or over) Unpaid carers People living in care homes Pregnant women, and all women who become pregnant between now and March 2015 Children aged 2 to 11 years old (and still at primary school) 2. A full list of primary care vaccination clinics in Shetland is attached. 3. There is further information on flu immunisation on the Immunisation Scotland website: 4. For all enquiries about this News Release, please contact Carolyn Hand on th October 2015

6 FULL LIST OF FLU VACCINATION CLINICS Lerwick Health Centre patients (held at Clickimin 9.00am 3.45pm) For adults aged 18 and over: Tuesday 27 th October (Surnames beginning with A-M) Tuesday 3 rd November (Surnames beginning with N-Z) Brae Health Centre patients (walk in clinics at Brae Public Hall) Tuesday 6 th October 2.00pm-4.30pm Tuesday 27 th October 2.00pm-4.30pm Scalloway Health Centre patients (walk in clinics at the Health Centre): All eligible adults Wednesday 7 th October 3.00pm to 7.00pm Wednesday 28 th October 2.30pm to 4.30pm Any patients who cannot attend any of the walk in clinics should make an appointment with the practices nurses. Clinics for eligible children between the ages of 2 and 5 will be arranged at a later date. Look out for local publicity or contact the practice. Unst Health Centre patients (walk in clinic at Baltasound Hall, no appointment needed) Thursday 12 th November from 6.00pm to 9.00pm Friday 13 th November from 9:00am to 11:00am. Yell Health Centre patients: Mid Yell Public Hall - Wednesday 28 th October 2pm-4pm Burravoe Public Hall - Thursday 29 th October 2pm -4pm Cullivoe Public Hall - Thursday 5 th November 2pm-4pm Mid Yell Public Hall - Thursday 12 th November 2pm-4pm

7 Patients registered with the GP practices in Bixter, Hillswick, Levenwick, Walls and Whalsay should contact their own practice, or look out for local publicity, to find out how to get their flu jab. Some practices will send out appointments to individual patients.