Swine flu vaccine: at risk groups urged to make an appointment

17 November 2009

Young adults up to 40 years of age with health conditions like asthma and diabetes are being urged to call their GP to make an appointment to have the swine flu vaccine.

GPs are organising vaccination clinics for people in at risk groups. These include those with heart, lung, liver, kidney or neurological disease, impaired immunity, asthma and diabetes. Pregnant women who are also at higher risk are being offered their vaccine via the hospital’s Midwifery Department.

However, Jersey’s Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr Susan Turnbull, says she’s concerned about the low attendance levels at some GPs' vaccine sessions by people in their twenties and thirties: “I realise people in this age group are probably busy with their working lives but it really is very important that they make the time to have the vaccine. It’s the best way of being protected against swine flu.”

“Data from the UK and other parts of the world shows quite clearly that people who have these health conditions are twice or three times as likely to develop serious complications as a result of catching swine flu – and most people infected with swine flu worldwide have been under 40. I would urge anyone with an underlying health condition who hasn’t been vaccinated to contact their GP's surgery for an appointment as soon as possible.”

GPs are making appointments to fit in with the amount of vaccine arriving in the Island. There is a weekly delivery.

The number of swine flu cases more than tripled last week with 119 confirmed cases compared with 34 the previous week. People are being urged to continue following the “catch it, bin it, kill it” message by practising good hygiene such as hand washing regularly and using tissues.