24 Dec Don’t underestimate the flu

Our guest contributor today is Kevin Dixon, volunteer chair of Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay

Have we forgotten the misery and dangers of getting the flu?

Despite widespread access to vaccination services, uptake among at-risk groups across Torbay seems to be declining. This raises urgent public health concerns as the flu is a serious illness.

In response, NHS bosses in the South West have issued a last chance call for people to get their flu jab to be protected ahead of the festive holidays, as flu hospitalisations in the region surge by three quarters (76%) in just one week.

The latest data shows the number of people in the South West in hospital with flu has gone up from an average of 79 a day this time last year to 139 a day in the last week.  And there is a 93% increase in the number of beds taken up by flu when compared to the same week last year.

Torbay Healthwatch has investigated this worrying trend through face-to-face interviews and an online survey.  As well as highlighting high satisfaction with the procedure and real praise for health workers, the results also gave an insight into reasons for vaccine refusal.

These include unfounded concerns about side effects and unwarranted mistrust of vaccinations generally. The most common reason for a refusal of the vaccination, at around 30% of respondents, was a sense of fatigue. We heard, “I wasn’t ill last year”; “I couldn’t find the time”; “Flu isn’t that serious”.

Nevertheless, across the nation, the NHS has still already vaccinated nearly a million more people against flu this autumn compared to last year, providing vital protection ahead of winter as cases start to rise. That’s over 4 million people receiving the vaccine as NHS teams across England ramp up efforts to help protect those most at risk of getting seriously ill.

Maybe we just need reminding that the flu is not simply a heavy cold. Flu occurs every year, usually in the winter, and is a highly infectious disease with symptoms that come on very quickly.

The most common symptoms of flu are fever, chills, headache, aches and pains in the joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness.

Healthy individuals usually recover within 2 to 7 days, but for some, the disease can lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability, or even death. Flu-related deaths across England were estimated to be nearly 8,000 last year.

And the vaccine does work. Last year, vaccinations were estimated to have prevented around 100,000 hospital admissions.

Some people are more susceptible to the effects of flu. For them, it can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, or can make existing conditions worse. So, those recommended to have a flu vaccine include everyone aged 65 years and over, all who have an existing medical condition, anyone living with someone who has lowered immunity due to disease or treatment, and all pregnant women.

Flu is caused by influenza viruses that infect the windpipe and lungs. And because it’s caused by viruses and not bacteria, antibiotics won’t treat it.

So the best way to tackle this common illness is to avoid catching and spreading it in the first place, and that is by having the vaccination. Flu vaccines help protect against the main types of flu virus circulating. Even if you have had a vaccine before or already been ill, it’s important to top up your protection as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.

Flu spreads more easily in winter when we spend more time together. Clearly, therefore, the illness reaches its peak over the festive and New Year period. Nobody wants to miss out on enjoying Christmas with their friends and family, and the vaccines provide the best possible protection.  The earlier the better, but if you do miss this opportunity, you can still get your vaccine in the new year – flu will be circulating through into Spring.

All those eligible are being urged to join the millions of us who have taken up their free vaccine offer. Don’t put it off, book your appointment today, and protect yourself against the risk of severe illness or worse. It could save your life and the life of someone you love.

For more information, see: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/public-health/winter-advice/

If you think you are entitled to an NHS-funded vaccination, you can book your vaccination or find out about pharmacies offering walk-in appointments via this link: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-flu-vaccination/