Only around 1 in 4 people in the ‘at risk’ groups from flu have taken the opportunity to have the free seasonal flu vaccine this year in East Sussex.
Thousands of people with long term conditions across East Sussex are routinely offered the seasonal flu vaccine each year to protect themselves from becoming very ill from flu.
But to date, only about a quarter of those offered the free vaccine have had it.
Comparatively more than four out of ten over 65 year olds offered the vaccine across East Sussex have taken the opportunity (see local figures below).
Every year everyone aged 65 and over is routinely offered the jab, as are younger people with long-term conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and serious kidney or liver disease.
The figures are lower than at the same point last year, in line with uptake across the country, which could be explained by a recent period of milder than usual weather or it could be due to people being unnecessarily concerned about the jab containing swine flu vaccine.
Diana Grice, Director of Public Health at NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald and NHS Hastings and Rother, said:
"Flu is not the same as getting a cold. It can seriously affect your health and the risks of developing complications are far greater if you have certain pre-existing medical conditions.
"We don’t know how serious flu will be this winter. But we do know that by encouraging everyone who is offered the vaccine to have it, we can make sure that those most vulnerable are protected.
"People should not be concerned or put off by the vaccine containing protection against swine flu. This is completely safe and the jab will not give you swine flu. It will only protect you.
"The Government has taken advice from all the experts, and the World Health Organisation was very clear that a vaccine to offer protection against three types of flu was the best option. It is still expected that swine flu will be one of the most common strains of flu this year and if you don’t have this vaccine you won’t be protected."
The swine flu virus can also pose additional risks if you are pregnant, and so this year, for the first time, all pregnant women are being offered the seasonal flu vaccination.
Pregnant women who catch H1N1 virus (swine flu) are at an increased risk of severe disease and flu-related hospital admissions.
Diana Grice continued:
"My advice to everyone who is eligible is to visit your local GP surgery and get the vaccination as soon as possible. This is the best form of protection for you and others."
People can also help to protect themselves and those around them by practicing good hand hygiene with the "Catch it, Bin it, Kill it" technique.
This means carrying tissues, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, disposing of the tissue after one use, and cleaning hands as soon as possible with soap and water or an alcohol hand gel.
Flu vaccination figures for East Sussex
East Sussex Downs and Weald:
65s and over (%) - 43.2 (2010/11) 46.3 (2009/10)
Under 65s (at risk) (%) - 22.8 (2010/11) 27.8 (2009/10)
Hastings and Rother:
65s and over (%) - 45.3(2010/11) 48.4(2009/10)
Under 65s (at risk) (%) - 26.5 (2010/11) 28.4 (2009/10)
