Fears as uptake of flu vaccination is lagging behind
FLU vaccinations in Halton remain below the national average in several areas as a plan was revealed to combat the illness over the coming months.
Halton Borough Council’s Health And Wellbeing Board met to discuss the 2019/20 seasonal flu plan.
A report issued to councillors said there is an ambition to offer the flu vaccine to all those who are eligible.
These include pensioners, those under 65 who are deemed to be at risk such as pregnant women, health and care workers, children aged two and three, as well as youngsters in primary school.
According to the figures across NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for 2018/19, vaccinations in Runcorn and Widnes lagged behind those for England in most areas, apart from for health care workers and children in reception and Year 2.
The report said: “There has been a general decline in flu uptake, locally and nationally in the last few years, though Halton has seen an increase in uptake in the previous year.
“Uptake amongst front line health care workers continues to increase, with St Helens And Knowsley and Warrington And Halton Hospital Trust achieving significantly higher than target and national average uptake amongst front line health staff.”
Uptake in patients aged 65 and above, as well as school Year 1 are also only slightly behind the England figure, while there have also been increases in vaccinations for youngsters in Years 3 and 4.
But there have been falls across the borough in inoculations for pregnant women, as well as two and three-year-olds.
Changes planned for this year’s flu programme for the borough includes extending a programme to include all primary school age children, as well as social care workers continuing to be eligible for vaccinations under a national initiative.
A new egg-free vaccine is also now available for those who are allergic to eggs, with three different vaccines now an option for pensioners.
Vaccinations will be given through GP practices and pharmacies for most of those eligible, while all frontline health and social care workers must be offered inoculation by their employer.
The report said: “Flu presents an annual health challenge on the health and social care system and is responsible for a large proportion of excess winter deaths.
“Cases of flu pose a significant burden on primary and secondary health care systems.
“Outbreaks amongst vulnerable groups are common in unprotected communities and can be difficult to manage and control.
“Flu is preventable and inequities in uptake across the borough, within higher risk populations and staffing groups can put the most vulnerable people at greater risk.
“Children represent one of the key sources of carriage of flu virus in the community, ensuring high uptake amongst children is one of the best ways to ensure limit the spread of flu in our communities and protect our most vulnerable children and members of the community from a preventable illness.
“Maximising vaccine uptake amongst eligible groups will protect members of our communities, facilitating people to maintain good health through the winter period will maximise employment and learning opportunities and limit absence from school and workplaces.” £488 £688
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