As winter draws nearer, Age Concern Birmingham have launched a timely campaign aimed at reducing avoidable and potentially serious illness in the coming months. Up till early November they will be working to promote the anti-flu jab to:
Anyone aged over 65
Anyone who lives in a residential or nursing home
Anyone who cares for or works with older or disabled persons
All pregnant women
Anyone with a long term health problem [including babies aged 6 months or over]
This winter’s jab protects against the same three strains of influenza as last year’s vaccines. These include the H1N1 strain of the virus. H1N1 is the same strain of flu that caused the 2009 swine flu pandemic.
It is worrying that less than seven out of ten of those aged 65 and over in some parts of the city got the jab last year. Age Concern Birmingham’s campaign team aims to increase this figure during this year's influenza season, particularly amongst those people with long term health problems - and anyone who cares for or works with older or disabled persons.
So if you are in one of the target groups please get your anti-flu jab. And if you are talking to friends or relatives who meet the criteria, please also encourage them to get the jab before the winter arrives.
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