Department of Health urges 'continue with swine flu jab'
January 29, 2010
The Department of Health (DoH) has strongly advised the public that it is still important to have the swine flu jab, after a new statistical bulletin from the Chief Medical Officer for England has indicated that, although swine flu cases are down, deaths and serious illness remain a concern.
According to the DoH, over the Christmas and New Year period, new cases of swine flu fell to their lowest level since the early stages of the disease in the UK. However, the source warned, patients continue to be hospitalised and admitted to critical care facilities, although these numbers are waning.
Deaths attributable to swine flu are also still occurring. The swine flu vaccination programme slowed over the holiday period, but all groups prioritised to have the vaccine are continuing to take it up, according to government reports.
The new statistical bulletin revealed that there are still 211 patients in hospital with swine flu in England, 62 of whom are in critical care.
The Health Protection Agency's overall estimate of the number of cases in the last week remains below 5000, where it has been for the last 3 weeks.
Commenting on the latest figures, Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer for England, said: "Levels of pandemic flu are currently very low, virtually concluding the second wave of the infection in this country. Although throughout it has not been a severe illness for most people, children and younger adults have developed serious complications, been admitted to hospital and some have died."
He added: "When the virus returns in the 2010 flu season, those who develop complications or die will be doing so from a vaccine-preventable disease. I strongly advise that those eligible for the vaccine who have not yet had it, get the jab and protect themselves."
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