Swine flu threat has not gone away, warn Leicestershire doctors
Patients and parents with young children are being urged to make sure they have swine flu jabs despite the number of cases dropping.
Concerns have been raised that as the number of people suffering from the virus falls, people will no longer bother with the vaccination.
It comes after the Department of Health announced plans to close down its national pandemic flu service.
The service provided patient assessment for swine flu via a website or by telephone.
Anti-viral drugs to help combat the flu virus will still be available for those who need them.
Dr Tim Davies, deputy director of public health for NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland, said: "The end of the national helpline does not mean that the threat of swine flu has gone away, especially for the most vulnerable groups of patients, such as children under five and pregnant women. Vaccination now will protect against any recurrence of swine flu later this year.
"The vaccine is fully tested and reliable and it makes good sense for at-risk patients to have the jab rather than risk the more serious complications which have been associated with many of the fatal cases in the past 10 months."
Latest figures show that a little under a quarter of patients considered to be "at risk" in Leicestershire have decided to have the flu jab.
Dr Davies said figures at the end of December 2009 showed an uptake of 24% for phase one in the county, for patients under-65 with chronic health conditions.
A total of 26,919 swine flu vaccinations out of a possible 111,476, were given across the group.
Figures are slightly higher – 28% – in the city.
He said: "It is currently too early to provide data on the uptake for children under the age of five in terms of the phase two vaccination programme.
"This data was collected at the end of December 2009 and the immunisation programme is ongoing, so we would expect this number to continue to increase."
Ivan Browne, public health consultant for NHS Leicester City, said: "GPs in Leicester are supporting the swine flu vaccination campaign and offering it to eligible patients.
"Figures up until December 2009, show we've already vaccinated just under 11,000 people in the phase one at risk group.
"This figure is incomplete as not all GP practices have submitted their data yet.
"It is too early to provide data on phase two which includes the infant vaccination programme.
"Work continues to ensure all those eligible receive this important vaccine."
In January, a vaccination programme for the under-five age group began.
3 Comments
by Kulgan, Crydee
Monday, February 08 2010, 11:05AM
“My goal is not to be the first one to comment.
Yes I do enjoy researching data.
As to being pointless, that is subjective and you are entitled to your opinion. I enjoy reading other people's comments whether I agree with them or not.”
by NH, Leicester
Monday, February 08 2010, 11:02AM
“Icome on this website everyday just to see Kulgan's comments.
Do you have fun searching the internet for these facts? is it your personal goal to make the most pointless comments on the stories published, and to be the first one to comment?
I think you are succeeding...well done Kulgan!”
by Kulgan, Crydee
Monday, February 08 2010, 10:53AM
“I would not have the Swine Flu vaccine. 'She who must be obeyed' is a frontline NHS worker and will not be having it. Our son is in a risk group and will not be having it (both she and him have had the seasonal flu vaccine).
To date (as at 4 Feb 10) there have only been 411 deaths (298 in England, 67 in Scotland, 18 in Northern Ireland and 28 in Wales) out of a population of estimated 60 million. Whilst every death is tragic for family and friends who have lost a loved one, the odds of you dying of Swine Flu (H1N1) is 0.00068%. The vaccine was produced very quickly and there is not enough information for us to decide it is safe. It is all about personal choice and from the information available, we do not think the risk worth it.”