Wirral health officials are urging people to take up their invitation to have the flu jab.
Every year more than a million people in England put their health at risk by not taking up the free vaccination.
People over the age of 65 automatically receive a free flu jab and last year in Wirral three-quarters of people in this age group took up their invitation to be immunised.
However, among other groups of people who are not elderly but are vulnerable to ‘flu because they have certain conditions, the take-up was a very low 40%.
Some people are more vulnerable to the effects of flu - they include people with diabetes, asthma, serious heart or respiratory conditions, kidney, or liver disease, lowered immunity due to disease or treatment, multiple sclerosis, or conditions of the nervous system, and those who have had a stroke.
The flu immunisation drive - and a similarly pro-active Keep Warm, Keep Well campaign - forms part of an annual integrated NHS and Social Care initiative supporting people to take better care of their health and wellbeing. Last year the campaign messages reached an estimated 34.1m people.
The key flu immunisation campaign messages this year include:
•Flu is much more serious than a cold. It can lead to hospitalisation or even death
•It is particularly dangerous to the over 65s and younger people in at-risk groups (e.g asthmatics, diabetics etc…)
•The flu jab does not give you flu
•The flu jab lasts for up to 12 months, so you need a new one each year
•Take steps to reduce the spread of flu – cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and wash hands regularly to avoid picking up/spreading viruses
•To find out more, talk to your GP, nurse or pharmacist or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
or www.dh.gov.uk
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