Flu vaccination - don't panic ....!

There seems to have been a bit of panic in the news this week about 'flu vaccination and we have certainly had a few telephone calls from people wanting a 'flu jab, but is it just media hype or is there anything more substantial to the panic we have seen in the news.

I have looked at how we are doing with 'flu jabs this year and so far we have given 1,905 - that's a huge number, just under a fifth of our practice population. Our computer system lets us easily check on 'at-risk' groups and 87.5% of our patients on our heart disease register have had a 'flu jab, 87% of patients with COPD and 84.2% of patients with diabetes have had a 'flu jab. We have a target to vaccinate 90% of patients in 'at-risk' groups, so we are well on our way to meeting our target.

Another expressed concern is that surgeries have run out of vaccine. We currently have 300 doses left - 150 of these have been reserved (usually for patients who were ill when they were due a jab but want one when they are better) so that leaves us with 150 doses left. We calculate that is plenty to vaccinate all the target groups.

The target groups are those at higher risk of developing complications of 'flu:
  • The over 65's
  • Patients with diabetes, heart disease, asthma, COPD or impaired immunity
  • Pregnant women
The take home message is that we have vaccinated a substantial number of patients, have nearly reached our target vaccination rate and we have plenty of vaccine left to finish the job. If you are in an 'at-risk' group and have not yet had a 'flu jab then please make an appointment.

So, don't panic ....!

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