Most pregnant women not vaccinated against flu

Just one in seven pregnant women have been vaccinated against flu this year, new figures show.

In addition to this, the latest figures from the Department of Health reveal that only a third (32%) of people under the age of 65 in "at-risk" groups have been vaccinated against the virus.

Although more than half of people over the age of 65 (55%) have been vaccinated against flu, the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, said that she would like to see 75 per cent of the 65 years and older group and 60 per cent of under 65s in at risk groups get vaccinated this year.

A recent poll for the Department of Health (DOH) found that 58 per cent of people surveyed wrongly believe that the flu vaccine itself can cause flu.

Dame Sally said: "I can categorically state that the flu jab does not give you flu. The vaccine does not include the live virus.

"It can save your life though. Flu can kill – and it can be particularly dangerous for people in at risk groups. They are on average 11 times more likely to die from flu than a healthy person is.

"If you haven’t been called for a flu jab and are in an at risk group, it’s time to contact your GP to make an appointment. If you’re in an at risk group, it’s free on the NHS."

People in at-risk groups are more likely to suffer serious complications and die than a healthy person if they catch flu.

The flu vaccine is available at GP surgeries and free to everyone in an at-risk group.

People advised to have the flu vaccine by the DOH:

• People aged 65 years or over
• Pregnant women in any stage of pregnancy
• People living in a residential or nursing home
• The main carer for an older or disabled person

People with the following conditions are also advised to have the flu vaccine:

• A heart problem
• A chest complaint or breathing difficulties including, bronchitis, emphysema
• A kidney disease
• Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
• A liver disease
• Had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• Diabetes
• A neurological condition e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy; and
• A problem with, or removal of, your spleen e.g. sickle cell disease

This article was published on Fri 4 November 2011