Eastern Cheshire has second highest uptake of flu jab

cbdebe83fc582880f6ba8369fad25a8f

Eastern Cheshire health bosses have saluted the area's patients for leading the way nationally in protecting themselves and their families against flu.

Figures published on Christmas Eve put Eastern Cheshire second of 211 areas in England for uptake of the seasonal flu jab by people aged 65 and over, and by three and four year olds.

The area was third best for vaccination of two year olds and people with long-term conditions that put them at risk of falling seriously ill if they catch flu.

Additionally Eastern Cheshire, which has a population of 204,000, was fourth highest for uptake by pregnant women.

The statistics from Public Health England cover the three months from September to November last year. They show that, in Eastern Cheshire, uptake of the free jab was:
74.4 per cent for people aged 65 and over (national average, 66.9 per cent)
47.5 per cent for three year olds (national average, 30.4 per cent)
42.1 per cent for four year olds (national average, 24.7 per cent).

The vaccine was taken up by 48 per cent of people in at-risk groups and by 48.7 per cent of two year olds, against averages of 39.3 per cent and 29.2 per cent respectively. The jab was had by 50.7 per cent of pregnant women, compared with a national average of 38.3 per cent.

The news was welcomed this week by Dr Paul Bowen, GP with McIlvride Medical Practice, Poynton and chair of NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which plans and buys most of the area's health services.

He said "Flu normally clears up on its own within a week. However, it can be more severe for people including the over 65s, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems and those with underlying health conditions – particularly long-term heart or respiratory disease.

"That's why I'm delighted that Eastern Cheshire people are leading the way nationally in protecting themselves and their families."

Cllr Janet Clowes, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for adult social care, health and wellbeing, said: "Eastern Cheshire's average uptake across categories is the highest in England. Whilst we will continue to work for higher uptake levels, this means the area is exceptionally well placed to limit the spread of flu when it arrives and to prevent people dying needlessly."

Photo: Dr Paul Bowen, chair of NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG.

Tags:
NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement