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In October 2000,
the HPA was commissioned by the Department of Health, Social
Services and Public Safety to develop a public information
campaign on flu as part of a regional influenza immunisation
programme.
This programme
was set up to protect people most at risk from flu and to
ease the pressures normally associated with the winter months,
among Northern Ireland's GP surgeries and hospital services.
In the first
year of the campaign 'Catch the vaccine not the flu!' a target
of 65% uptake was set by the Department. This was exceeded,
with 68% of people aged 65 or over availing of the vaccine.
At the beginning of the 2001 campaign this target was raised
to 70%.
As well as the
over 65s, people with a chronic heart or chest condition such
as asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, lowered immunity due
to disease or treatment such as steroids or cancer therapy,
or any other serious medical condition were also eligible
to receive the vaccine.
Flu is a highly
infectious disease with symptoms including fever, chills,
headache, aching muscles, cough and sore throat. At best it's
a nasty experience, however, flu can also lead to more serious
illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia among the elderly
or those with lowered immunity. With the strain of flu virus
changing every year it is very important for individuals to
receive the latest vaccine and to receive it well in advance
of any outbreak. Following this advice helps to maintain immunity
against the latest strains and gives the body time to develop
the necessary antibodies to fight off the infection.
An important
element of the influenza immunisation programme has been the
development of an enhanced influenza surveillance scheme which
has been put in place by the Communicable Disease Surveillance
Centre at Belfast City Hospital. For contact details click
Here
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