SHETLAND NHS BOARD NEWS RELEASE

Transcription

1 SHETLAND NHS BOARD NEWS RELEASE Seasonal Flu Immunisation The seasonal flu immunisation campaign starts this week. 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. This year, for the first time, all pre-school children aged 2 to 5 years and all primary school aged children are also being offered the vaccination. But most of them will be able to have the nasal spray 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. All children who are in primary school will be invited to have the nasal flu vaccine in school, including all children in high risk groups who have previously received their flu vaccine at their GP practice. They will be getting consent packs sent out through school this week. A small

2 number of children cannot have the nasal vaccine: the School Health team will arrange for them to have the injection instead, usually at their GP practice. If parents want their primary school aged child to have the flu vaccine they must return the consent to their child s school before the October holidays. If parents and carers have any queries about the school flu vaccination programme, they should contact the School Health Department on Lerwick Health Centre patients 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 28 th October and Tuesday 4 th November (both pm). 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. Other Health Centres are also holding dedicated flu clinics. The Scalloway Health Centre clinics started last week but there are still some more walk in clinics for patients registered at Scalloway: these are on Wednesday 8 th and 29 th October pm, at the Health Centre. Brae Health Centre is holding walk in clinics for eligible patients registered at Brae. For adults aged 18 and over, these are on Wednesday 29 th and Thursday 30 th October, both from pm. For those aged 17 and under they are on Thursday 6 th and Tuesday 11 th November both from pm. (Primary school aged children will be vaccinated in school unless they cannot have nasal vaccine and have been asked to go to the Health Centre.)

3 Patients with the Hillsgarth Surgery (Unst) can attend a walk in clinic at the Baltasound Hall on Thursday 23 rd October from 4.00pm to 6.00pm or on Friday 24 th October from 9:30am to 11:30am. The Yell Health Centre is holding walk in clinics for its patients at local public halls all pm: Thursday 16 th October and Thursday 6 th November Mid Yell Public Hall ; Thursday 23 rd October Cullivoe Public Hall; and Thursday 30 th October Burravoe Public Hall. 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 new childhood flu immunisation programme is being rolled out to all pre-school 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 The following groups of people are being advised to have the seasonal flu vaccination this year: Everyone aged 65 and over Children over the age of six months 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 or other conditions of the nervous system or a stroke Unpaid carers People living in care homes Pregnant women, and women who become pregnant between now and March 2015 Children aged 2 to 11 years old (and still at primary school) Children aged 2 to 17 in the any of the above groups will be offered Fluenz Tetra nasal flu vaccine. A few children cannot have Fluenz Tetra, but most of these will be able to have an injectable vaccine instead. All frontline NHS staff should also have the flu jab every year. This is organised by the employer and occupational health services. It is hoped that more staff will take up the opportunity to get vaccinated this year to protect both themselves and the patients they care for. Further information on the national flu vaccination campaign is available from the Immunisation Scotland website :

5 FULL LIST OF FLU VACCINATION CLINICS Lerwick Health Centre patients (held at Clickimin 9.00am 3.45pm) Tuesday 28 th October (Surnames beginning with A-M) Tuesday 4 th November (Surnames beginning with N-Z) Brae Health Centre patients (walk in clinics at the Health Centre) For adults aged 18 and over: Wednesday 29 th October 2.00pm-4.00pm Thursday 30 th October 2.00pm-4.00pm For those aged 17 and under: Thursday 6 th November 2.00pm-4.00pm Tuesday 11 th November 2.00pm-4.00pm Primary school aged children will be vaccinated in school unless they cannot have nasal vaccine and have been asked to go to the Health Centre. Scalloway Health Centre patients (walk in clinics at the Health Centre) Wednesday 8 th October 2.30pm to 4.30pm Wednesday 29 th October 2.30pm to 4.30pm Any patients who cannot attend any of the walk in clinics should also make an appointment with the practices nurses. Hillsgarth Medical Surgery (Unst) patients (walk in clinics at Baltasound Hall) Thursday 23 rd October from 4.00pm to 6.00pm Friday 24 th October from 9:30am to 11:30am.

6 Yell Health Centre patients (walk in clinics) Thursday 16 th October Mid Yell Public Hall 2pm - 4 pm Thursday 23 rd October Cullivoe Public Hall 2pm - 4pm Thursday 30 th October Burravoe Public Hall 2pm - 4pm Thursday 6 th November Mid Yell Public Hall 2pm - 4pm 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. END NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS 1. For enquiries specifically about the Lerwick Flu Fairs please contact Lisa Sutherland, Primary Care Manager on For all other enquiries about this News Release, please contact Carolyn Hand on st October 2014