Burnley and Pendle residents warned about flu virus

VULNERABLE people in Burnley and Pendle whose long-term health could be affected by contracting flu are being urged to have the vaccination against the virus.

This year, for the first time, all pregnant women are being offered the seasonal flu vaccination, as it protects against the H1N1 virus – swine flu – that is still circulating this winter. Pregnant women who catch this strain are at an increased risk of severe disease and flu-related hospital admissions.

Other “at risk” groups include all those aged 65 years and over, all those aged six months or over in a “clinical risk” group including diabetes, and chronic heart, kidney or liver disease, those living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities and those who are the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if their carer falls ill. The vaccination programme is running until January 31st.

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Dr Sohail Bhatti, interim director of public health for NHS East Lancashire, said: “I would encourage everyone ‘at risk’ to have their flu jab.

“My son, who is in an ‘at risk’ group, will certainly be having his – protection far outweighs any perceived risks.”

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