Seasonal Flu Vaccine

Free seasonal flu vaccinations are available to anyone aged 65 and over and to younger people in the following at-risk groups:

• Those who have any of the following serious medical conditions:

• a chronic chest condition such as asthma;

• a chronic heart condition;

• diabetes;

• chronic kidney disease;

• lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroids or cancer therapy;

• any other serious medical condition – check with your doctor if you are unsure.

• Children who have previously been admitted to hospital with chest infection.

• Anyone living in a residential or nursing home because flu can be spread rapidly.

Two additional 'at-risk’ categories have been included this year:
- people with chronic liver disease; and
- those who are the main carers for elderly or disabled persons whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.

 
The annual Keep Well This Winter campaign, which I launched in North Wales and John Griffiths launched in South Wales, aims to increase the uptake of flu vaccine among the 65 and over age group as a key objective. This is the sixth year of the campaign and the uptake of flu vaccination among its target groups has increased substantially over this period.

Every indication is that the up-take rate amongst the at-risk groups is higher this year. The high demand appears to be largely due to the fears stoked by media reports on avian and pandemic flu, even though the seasonal flu vaccine is not effective against either. The addition of the two new at-risk categories does not therefore appear to be a factor in the higher than usual demand. Due to this unusually high demand, some GPs have reported shortages .

Supplies of the annual seasonal flu vaccine are ordered by GPs direct from the manufacturer around February/March time. This would have been before any surge in demand created by fears surrounding avian flu could have been predicted. Manufacturers have confirmed that all prior orders for seasonal flu vaccine will be met but, due to world-wide demand, any new or additional orders are unlikely to be accepted.

GPs have been asked by the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure that all vaccine is prioritised for the immunisation of the over 65s and the other at-risks groups detailed above. GPs have been advised that those who have surplus stocks of vaccine available should contact their supplier to arrange for this to be re-distributed to other GPs who require additional doses. Flu vaccine manufacturers have been asked to assist in this process wherever possible.

The Welsh Assembly Government has also managed to secure a small contingency stock of 17,500 doses. Local Health Boards and the National Public Health Service are helping to distribute these to those GP surgeries in most need. The Welsh Assembly Government has emphasised that these supplies are for priority at-risk patients only. Every effort is being made to secure additional supplies but international demand is such that this cannot be guaranteed.