Here are the true facts on flu vaccine

LET’S set the record straight on flu. A letter offering “facts” about flu vaccination provided information that was false and misleading (“Get the facts before you have the flu jab”, October 10).

Contrary to what that letter stated, NHS flu vaccines do not contain aluminium, do not make people more likely to catch flu, do not cause miscarriage and their benefits are not “doubtful”. Immunisation of pregnant women reduces the risk of premature birth and protects the infant up to six months of age.

Evidence from research in Wales and the rest of the UK shows that of those vaccinated last winter the flu vaccine protected seven in 10 children (nasal spray vaccine) and four in 10 adults under 65 years with long-term conditions (flu injection). Unlike previous years, the vaccine was not found to be effective in older adults against the main circulating flu strain.

This emphasises the importance of other strategies, such as vaccinating carers and NHS staff to protect older people. Flu vaccines are among the safest medicines we use, based on evidence from hundreds of millions of doses given, and considered by the World Health Organisation safe enough to be recommended for pregnant women and young children.

In Wales last winter, flu was estimated to have caused more than 100,000 cases, resulting in numerous deaths. It was diagnosed in 671 patients admitted to hospital and 74 intensive care patients and caused 49 outbreaks in hospitals and care homes, affecting patients and staff.

Flu vaccination is the best way to reduce this serious illness in the people of Wales. For accurate information on flu vaccines visit www.beatflu.org or www. curwchffliw.org. Dr Richard Roberts and Dr Brendan Mason Public Health Wales