Flu season just starting but time to get the jab - Health

Thursday 21 January 2016

Flu season has already hit Guernsey and the UK and Health are urging people to get vaccinated here even though the jabs might not have been very effective last winter.

The Island hasn’t seen many cases yet but say the vulnerable - that's the very young, the elderly, pregnant women and those with long-term health conditions - should get themselves protected and get the flu vaccine.

Health’s Consultant Microbiologist Dr Ivan Muscat said: “There has been a small increase in influenza-like illnesses in England which are now just above the lowest threshold for epidemic activity.

“Jersey has seen only low levels of flu so far, plus some other viruses, and we are still at a relatively early stage of the ‘flu season.’

Just before Christmas doctors in the UK warned that thousands could have been putting their lives at risk by not getting the jabs. GP's reported that surgery fridges were full of unused doses and there were concerns it was because of perceptions that last year's jab wasn't up to scratch.

Dr Muscat said: “The best form of protection against flu is vaccination. The reports to date indicate that this year’s circulating strains appear to be covered by the current vaccine, in contrast to 2014/15 when the vaccine was less effective than would usually be expected.

“Those patients compromised by age or disease who have not yet been vaccinated should take this opportunity to get vaccinated ahead of any further increase in activity.”    

Guernsey's Medical Officer of Health has confirmed that the virus, which can cause serious and occasionally life-threatening illness is now circulating in the Island but says the vaccine is well matched to the strains circulating there.

The last flu pandemic was back in 2009.