|
|
|
|
|
FLU CAMPAIGN 2009 THIS YEAR WE ARE PREPARING FOR A BUSY FLU SEASON. HOPEFULLY WITH THE VACCINATIONS ON OFFER OUR PATIENTS WILL STAY WELL. WE URGE ALL PATIENTS WHO MEET THE VACCINATION CRITERIA TO ATTEND FOR THEIR INJECTIONS. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FLU DAY For patients aged 65+ and those in at risk groups We will be holding a Flu Clinic on: Saturday 10th October 2009 9.00am – 3.00pm No appointment necessary. We will then have a number of clinics week commencing 12.10.09, 19.10.09 and 26.10.09. Appointments will be needed for these clinics. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Patients who do not meet the criteria will be unable to receive a flu vaccination at this clinic. We hope to offer flu vaccination to other patients towards the end of October 09. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Why Do We Have A Flu Campaign? Influenza or 'flu' is a respiratory illness associated with infection by influenza virus. Symptoms frequently include headache, fever, cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints. Influenza occurs most often in winter and usually peaks between December and March. For most people influenza infection is just a nasty experience, but for some it can lead to more serious illnesses. The most common complications of influenza are bronchitis and secondary bacterial pneumonia. These illnesses may require treatment in hospital and can be life threatening especially in the elderly, asthmatics and those in poor health. Influenza immunisation is recommended for patients with any of the following: - Age 65 and over - Respiratory problems - Kidney disease - Liver disease - Heart problems - Diabetes - Stroke - Multiple Sclerosis - Problems with your immune system - Living in residential or nursing homes - Main carer for an elderly or disabled person - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SWINE FLU We will be expecting to offer H1N1 Swine Flu vaccinations later this year. The national vaccination programme will only commence once vaccines are licensed and stock has been distributed around the country. It is anticipated that the earliest a vaccination programme could begin is mid-October. As we do not have any delivery dates at the moment we have decided to hold our usual Flu Day at the end of September (Saturday 26.09.09). We will then organise separate clinics for Swine Flu vaccinations. The Department of Health have agreed that the following groups should be prioritised for vaccination in the following order: i. People aged six months - 65 years who are in the flu vaccine at-risk groups ii. all pregnant women iii. household contacts of immunocompromised individuals iv. people aged 65 and over - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PNEUMOCOCCOL VACCINATIONS Pneumococcal disease is the term used to describe infections caused by the pneumococcus bacterium. The bacterium can cause pneumococcal disease, including septicaemia, pneumonia and meningitis. It particularly affects the very young, the elderly, those with an absent or non-functioning spleen and with impaired immunity. Approximately 5,000-6,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease are reported annually. There is a seasonal pattern with the greatest number of reports occurring in December and January each year. In addition there are an estimated 40,000 hospitalisations due to pneumococcal pneumonia in England and Wales each year. Pneumococcal immunisation is recommended for patients with any of the following: - Age 65 and over - Chronic respiratory disease - Chronic renal disease - Chronic liver disease - Coronary heart disease - Diabetes - People with cochlear implants - People with cerebrospinal fluid leaks Most adults only require one Pneumococcal immunisation in their lifetime. You can have this injection at the same time as your ‘flu vaccination.
© Lane End Surgery 2008 | Patients Rights | Confidentiality | Privacy | Designed by Gladstone Websites |
