An infectious disease specialist is reminding people it’s not too late to get the flu jab as winter pressures continue to bite.
Around two in every three people with confirmed flu in hospitals across the Humber region are aged over 65 – one of the groups identified as most ‘at risk’ from the winter virus.
With concerns that flu cases will rise again following Christmas and New Year get-togethers, as children return to school, and with Professor Stephen Powis, National Medical Director for NHS England, warning the NHS could be on course for one of its worst ever winters, local people are being urged to take up the vaccine wherever it’s offered.
Dr Nick Easom, Consultant in Infectious Diseases at NHS Humber Health Partnership, says: “The management of patients with flu has been posing challenges for our hospital wards and departments for almost two months now.
“While most healthy people can see off the worst of the virus in a week or so, it can potentially be much more serious in older people and those who are already ill or vulnerable to infection.
“At such a busy time of year, when beds are already in high demand, creating additional space and the process of deep cleaning to reopen beds makes things even more difficult for our teams. Currently we have the equivalent of almost two full wards dedicated to managing patients with flu across Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill, and more than a full ward at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby too.
“Staff are wearing face masks once again to protect colleagues and visitors, but there is plenty that other people can to do reduce their own risk of infection.”
Dr Easom says the flu jab can still be highly effective, even if taken at this time of year.
“It’s not too late to get the flu jab, and it can still offer important protection for those most at risk from the virus,” he said. “GP surgeries are offering the vaccine to eligible patients right through until March, so if you’ve been invited but not yet taken up the offer of a flu jab, please do so as soon as possible.
“If you have flu-like symptoms and need medical advice, please contact NHS 111 in the first instance rather than coming to hospital as this risks spreading infection to others, and if you do need to visit us for any reason, please be sure to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, and consider wearing a facemask if you’re able to do so.”
More information on managing the symptoms of flu at home can be found on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/