On Wednesday 19th October South West Bedfordshire MP Andrew Selous attended Westminster Flu Day, a flu vaccine clinic held in the House of Commons, to encourage his constituents to get this
season’s flu vaccine in line with Government recommendations.
57% of at-risk people and 29% of people over the age of 65 in the South West Bedfordshire 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% nationally of at-risk patients and 30% 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.
Andrew Selous 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.”