The figures for the provisional national flu vaccination uptake to the end of December 2006 in England show that large numbers of patients within medical risk groups have not been vaccinated, although uptake among over-65s now stands at 72 per cent.
However, experts said that many COPD patients may have been vaccinated and counted in the over-65s group. Others suggested the late delivery of flu vaccine last year and the mild winter may also have affected uptake.
Practices are being urged by the government to order vaccines now for the 2007/8 flu campaign. However Dr David Salisbury, DoH director of immunisation, admitted more categories could be added to the flu schedule in March and it would be difficult for practices to estimate their needs.
It is expected the government will rule that pregnant women expecting to have a baby in flu season should be offered the jab in their second or third trimester.
| AT-RISK UPDATE |
| Flu vaccine uptake by end of December 2006
Source: Health Protection Agency |
Quick search - use * for an abbreviated search, eg nico*
With spiralling energy costs, it is important to adopt policies that can save money as well as the e... Read More
A radical programme promises to transform care for people with diabetes, writes Fiona Barr. Read More
Health and education are working together to improve young people's health and wellbeing, writes Sar... Read More
Contributed by Mr Ranan DasGupta, specialist registrar and Mr Jonathon Olsburgh, consultant urologic... Read more
By Dr Helen Hosker, GP and clinical commissioning lead for stroke, NHS Manchester, and Dr Pippa Tyrr... Read more
Although it is one of the most common autoimmune diseases, Sjogren's syndrome remains underdiagnosed... Read more
Janssen-Cilag has launched Intelence (etravirine) for the treatment of HIV infection in antiretrovir... Read more
Janssen-Cilag has launched Doribax (doripenem) for the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia (including ... Read more
Ebixa (memantine) is now licensed for once-daily administration in the treatment of patients with mo... Read more
This site is intended for healthcare professionals only
Comments
Only registered users may comment. Log in now or register for a free account.