Stronger flu vaccines for OAPs

Wednesday 10 October 2018

A more effective flu vaccine is available this winter for those aged 65 and over in Guernsey and Alderney.

In line with Public Health England recommendations, this newly available ‘adjuvanted’ vaccine will be offered to those in the 'at risk' over 65 age group, in Guernsey and Alderney. It is expected to significantly boost effectiveness by improving the body’s immune response to the vaccine.

Health officials said this is important because older adults do not always respond as well to the flu vaccine as younger people, due to their naturally weaker immune systems. Older adults are also more likely to suffer complications from flu and this vaccine shuld help to prevent deaths in older people in the Bailiwick.

"We know that flu is potentially a very serious illness. We also know that adults over 65 years of age are more likely to catch and have complications from flu," Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health said.

"By using this enhanced flu vaccine for this age group we will ensure that islanders are better protected. This will also help reduce the spread of the flu virus.We strongly support the concept of the ‘Help Us Help You’ brand. This is based on the concept of reciprocity, encouraging people to take appropriate actions (be that getting the flu vaccination or accessing the appropriate service) to better enable health and care providers in Guernsey and Alderney to help them."

Flu Vaccinations are offered yearly to specific groups of people. Businesses also often offer them for their staff.

The broader flu vaccination programme will also be improved by offering all eligible adults under 65, including pregnant women and those with long-term health conditions, the ‘quadrivalent’ vaccine in injected form. This quadrivalent vaccine protects against a total of four strains of flu; two strains of flu A and two strains of flu B.

Additionally, a nasal spray vaccine is set to be offered to all primary school children in Guernsey and Alderney, meaning the vaccine will be offered to all two and three year-olds, as well as children in reception to year six.

Practising good hand hygiene by catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue, throwing it away and washing your hands after can also help limit the spread of the flu virus, Health & Social Care said.

"Last year we were faced with the worst flu season in a decade and health and care staff across Guernsey and Alderney did an excellent job caring for Islanders," Deputy Heidi Soulsby, President of HSC, said.

"However, this year islanders will be better protected from flu than ever beforeas we will be offering at-risk groups the most effective vaccine available. We will also be extending our childhood immunisation programme. This is very much in line with the ethos of the Partnership of Purpose with the focus on prevention and keeping people healthy.”

Pictured: Those most at risk of contracting flu are being offered the vaccine now.