Who is at risk?
Flu can affect anyone, at any age, even healthy people!
There are some groups of people that will be at a higher risk of developing additional complications and would therefore see real benefit from having the flu vaccination.
The NHS England Flu document Free flu vaccination for people with diabetes, chronic heart disease or chronic respiratory disease reminds us that the immune system declines as a person ages. The flu vaccination can boost the immune response. A direct quote states “there is evidence that heart attacks happen more often during or immediately after an acute inflammatory illness, such as flu"
Are at a greater risk of complications if they get the flu during pregnancy which may be linked to miscarriage, premature birth and smaller birth weight. It is recommended that pregnant women have the vaccine regardless of the stage of pregnancy. Vaccination reduces risk of developing serious complications of flu, such as pneumonia, especially in the later stages of pregnancy. It also provides the baby with some immunity to flu for the first few months after birth.
Flu could lead to further complications if customers have the following health conditions:
- Chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, bronchitis or emphysema
- Chronic heart disease such as heart failure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis
- Chronic neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease
- Diabetes
- Problems with the spleen e.g. sickle cell disease or spllen removed (splenectomy)
- Serious obesity with a BMI of 40 or above
- A weakened immune system
This list isn’t definitive, and although having flu is often uncomplicated for most, it may lead to serious complications for others.