Kill Flu Before Flu Kills You – Launches Beat Flu campaign

FLU causes needless deaths and illness every year in Wales but is completely preventable by vaccination.

That is the message of the once a year Beat Flu campaign to be released today, to encourage people who need it maximum to protect themselves against the virus.

People in eligible groups across Wales can get a vaccination at the NHS. This consists of pregnant ladies, people with certain chronic long-term health situations, everybody aged 65 and over, and kids aged -8 years.

Public health minister Rebecca Evans AM will launch the campaign today. She said it is important that those most at chance take up the free vaccine.

“Influenza may be a life-threatening illness for those who are at risk because of their age, an underlying health problem, or because they’re pregnant,” she said.

“Unfortunately, influenza kills people in Wales every year.

“People may be critically sick with influenza, and a flu vaccination is a great way to protect against it, so make sure you get protected soon, on your own and other people’s sake.”

The vaccine for adults is a small injection, however for kids, it is an easy nasal spray. To 3-12 months-olds can get the nasal vaccine at their GP surgery, while those in reception magnificence and school Years 1 to 4 can get it at school.

Flu viruses that cause infection each winter change, and so too does the vaccine, to try to fit the circulating strains, and supply the best protection.

Carers, volunteers giving planned emergency first aid, and community First Responders also can get the vaccine. It is endorsed too that frontline health and social care workers obtain it, to protect themselves and people they take care of.

Flu vaccination rates in Gwent improved last year among humans aged 65 and over (68.2 percent), and among people below 65-years-old however in ‘at risk’ groups – inclusive of people with breathing, heart and kidney complaints, diabetes, and people classed as overweight (49.7 percent).

For youngsters aged to 3 years, the uptake rate was 45.3 percent, and among Aneurin Bevan university health Board staff it was 49.3 percent.