Pensioners and children targeted for flu jab

Pensioners and children in ‘at-risk’ groups are the key targets of this year’s flu immunisation programme, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Etta Campbell said today.

A major advertising campaign, which started this week, is calling on people who normally receive the flu vaccination to make an appointment with their GP in the next few weeks.

Speaking as she helped launch the vaccination programme in the Holywood Arches Health Centre, Dr Campbell said: “I would hope all those who are ‘at-risk’ will take advantage of the free immunisation on offer and protect themselves from what can be for some a potentially serious illness.

“People at risk include the over-65s with chronic heart and chest conditions, suffer from asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, have lower immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroids or cancer therapy, or any other serious medical condition.”

Referring to the delay in the supply of vaccine in Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK, Dr Campbell said that some reorganisation of appointments for clinics would be necessary.

However, Dr Campbell said the outlook on the supply situation had improved considerably with further additional supplies being sourced, which are expected to arrive later in the week.

“I urge all those people who normally receive the flu vaccine to contact their GP practices about an appointment,” she said.

“By reducing the numbers who get the flu, we can ease the pressure on GP surgeries and on hospital services during the winter months. Anything that can be done to reduce these pressures is very worthwhile."

The Department of Health has made more than £2 million available for this year’s flu immunisation programme.

(MB/GMCG)