Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris attended Westminster Flu Day, a flu vaccine clinic held in the House of Commons, to encourage her constituents to get this season’s flu vaccine in line with Government recommendations.
Parliamentarians who would not be eligible for a free seasonal flu vaccine on the NHS made a £10 donation to the Carers Trust. £10 is equivalent to the cost of a private vaccination.
60% of at-risk people and 32% of people over the age of 65 in Castle Point were not vaccinated against flu last year, even though the consequences of not having a flu vaccine can be serious. This compares to around 55% nationally of at-risk patients and 30% of people over the age of 65.1
People in a risk group, such as pregnant women, people who are immunosuppressed and people with an underlying health condition such as liver disease and heart disease, are at significantly increased risk of dying as a result of flu.2 Every year, an estimated 12,000 people die from seasonal influenza in England and Wales. 3 Flu is the most frequent cause of death in pregnancy2 and very occasionally a child may die from flu.4
Rebecca Harris MP said “The best way to help protect yourself against the flu is to get the flu vaccine. I would urge everyone who is entitled to a free flu vaccine, which includes all children aged 2, 3 & 4 on 31 August 2016 and carers, to go and visit their GP or pharmacist.”
Helen Donovan, Professional Lead for Public Health Nursing at the Royal College of Nursing said “People in certain groups, such as pregnant women, people who are immunosuppressed and people with an underlying health condition such as liver disease and heart disease, are at significantly increased risk of severe complications and dying as a result of flu.”
Gail Scott-Spicer, Chief Executive of Carers Trust said “If you’re the main carer for an older or disabled person, we recommend that you ask your GP or pharmacist for a free flu jab this winter. Being an unpaid carer is tough, and coming down with the flu can make it almost impossible to look after someone.”
Westminster Flu Day is an established event in the Parliamentary calendar. It is sponsored by the ABPI Vaccine Group in partnership with the Royal College of Nursing and Carers Trust and with the support of the Department of Health and Public Health England.