Henry Smith MP has hosted Westminster Flu Day (Wednesday, 19th October), a flu vaccine clinic held in the House of Commons, to encourage Crawley residents to get this season’s flu vaccine in line with Government recommendations.

Henry 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 to go and visit their GP or pharmacist.”

62 per cent of at-risk people and 33 per cent of people over the age of 65 in the Crawley area 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 per cent nationally of at-risk patients and 30 per cent of people over the age of 65.

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.

Every year, an estimated 12,000 people die from seasonal influenza in England and Wales. Flu is the most frequent cause of death in pregnancy and very occasionally a child may die from flu.

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.

Nicola Blackwood MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health & Innovation, commented;

“Make sure you get your flu jab this winter. People often get the flu in winter and it can lead to more serious illnesses and even death, so it is good to protect yourself.”

Helen Donovan, Professional Lead for Public Health Nursing at the Royal College of Nursing, added;

“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 the 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.

Notes to Editors

Who is eligible for a free flu vaccine?

In 2016-17 the following individuals are entitled to a free flu vaccine:

• All children aged 2-7 (but not 8 years or older) on 31 August 2016
• All primary school-aged children in former primary school pilot areas
• Those aged 6 months to under 65 years in a clinical risk group, such as:
  • Chronic respiratory disease, such as severe asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis
  • Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
  • Chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease
  • Diabetes
  • Splenic dysfunction
  • A weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment)
• Pregnant women
• Those aged 65 years and over
• Those in long-stay residential care homes
• Carers
• Frontline health and social care workers

About ABPI Vaccine Group

The ABPI Vaccine Group is committed to advocating on behalf of the industry on all aspects of vaccination and the benefits it brings to the health of our nation.  The Group aims to work in partnership with the Government and the public health community to encourage the continued and further success of the national immunisation programmes.

Westminster Flu Day is supported by the following companies:

• AstraZeneca
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Mylan
• Takeda