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FLU OUTBREAK: ANNOUNCEMENT

CHILDREN’S FLU VACCINATIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT VICTORIA MEDICENTRE
Vaccinations are available at Victoria Medicentre for children over 12 months.
Vaccinations for all those over 16 are available from any Medicentre.

Children between 3 and 12 years who have never been vaccinated before require two doses. Those who have been previously vaccinated require only one.
Children between 1 and 3 years receive a vaccination at half the normal dose.
We have heard reports of profiteering by some private clinics who appear to be taking advantage of the current shortage, with some charging over £150. Medicentre flu vaccinations are £20 each.

FLU EXPERT URGES PARENTS OF ‘AT RISK’ CHILDREN TO GET VACCINATED
Jan 08
World-renowned virologist and expert in influenza Prof. John Oxford has urged parents of ‘at-risk’ children - those with asthma, an underlying health condition that weakens resistance or children who are obese - to have their children vaccinated. He observed that the virus “goes for the extremes of age - the over 65’s and the under 5’s’. We’ve always known this, but we’ve put most of our attention into the over 65 group”.
He said it was probably too late now to address the problem across the board, but that parents of at risk children should certainly have them vaccinated.

“This time next year, I wouldn’t want to see all this again and I’m sure no parent would, and I’m sure no-ne in the Department of Health would either.”

FLU VACCINE SHORTAGE: PM SAYS 2009 SWINE FLU VACCINE COULD BREACH THE GAP

Jan 07
David Cameron says the Dept of Health are having ‘urgent discussions’ about whether to deploy some of the national stock of vaccines from the 2009 H1N1 ‘swine flu’ outbreak. In the first clear acknowledgement that there are shortages, he explained that whilst the 2009 vaccine is ‘slightly different’ from the vaccine being used during this outbreak, it does have many common characteristics and they are considering its use.
See his announcement on video here, by courtesy of the BBC
Opens in a new window

UPDATE

The Government had consistently denied any shortages, and this evening the DoH’s Director of Immunisation, said “I can’t tell you where every dose has gone. I find that the discrepancy between the total number of doses and the actual difficulty being experienced locally to be challenging and we need to do more to find out where this mismatch has occurred.’

FLU CASES LEAP BY 45% IN A SINGLE WEEK

Dec 29, updated Jan 1st

The Royal College of General Practitioners announced  that cases of influenza in England and Wales had increased by almost half in a single week, reaching 124.4 people per 100,000, compared with 85.8 in the week ending December 19th. A spokesperson for the Department of Health said "This is in keeping with what we would expect during a winter flu season, but everyone can do their bit to help keep well - simple measures like washing your hands help stop flu spreading."

The peak of the winter flu season usually strikes in early January, but has come weeks earlier this time around. Experts do not have an explanation other than the behaviour of the virus which is intrinsically unpredictable and adaptable. The most effected group was those aged between 45 and 64, with schoolchildren showing the lowest rise, due almost certainly to the holiday season.

The Chief Medical Officer has issued clear advice to get a flu job, especially to those in what is considered a vulnerable group; those over retirement age, pregnant women and those with an underlying condition.

Contrary to some newspaper headlines, this is not an epidemic, which is defined as 200 cases per 100,000. However if rises such as that during the week before Christmas (week 50) are repeated, an epidemic in early January is a distinct possibility. Cases have risen from 32.8 in week 49 to 85.8 in week 50, and then 124.4 in week 51 - the latest figures available.

There are widespread reports of packed GP surgeries and NHS Direct reported its busiest festive period ever, handling over 30,000 calls on Monday 27th, fulfilling the prediction by Unison, the trade union representing many people working in the health sector, who said that the figures were continuing to rise and we could see 30,000 in a single day.

FLU OUTBREAK - SYMPTOMS & ADVICE

The symptoms of seasonal flu include the sudden onset of fever, accompanied by a cough and sore throat, then aching muscles and joints. Flu is highly debilitating and often takes up to two weeks to run its course. (People often refer to a cold as the flu, but they are two very different propositions altogether.)

To avoid infection and to restrict the spread of the virus, people are encouraged to thoroughly wash their hands at every opportunity, and to cough and most particularly sneeze into a tissue - ideally one treated with a bacterial agent. Dispose of the tissue immediately in a bin or suitable container.

Clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs - especially food preparation and eating surfaces.

The single most effective preventative measure is of course a vaccination.

Commuters inevitably spend time in close proximity with other travellers, and often in crowded conditions which are ideal for infection. With the current outbreak set to reach near-epidemic proportions, a flu vaccination is well advised. All Medicentres have stocks, and those seeking advice and/or a vaccination are urged to contact a branch as soon as possible.

You are in Home > Medicentre News and Features > Flu Outbreak Monitor

The ‘aerosol’ effect of a sneeze - the body’s powerful and involuntary reaction. This picture demonstrates how thousands of infected droplets are produced by a single sneeze. If one multiplies this by a number of sneezes in a crowded tube or train carriage, the effect is obvious.

Click to view at the BBC.

Click to watch the Daily Telegraph’s interview with Prof. John Oxford.