Palatine Group Practice
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SWINE FLU
VACCINE UPDATE AS AT WEDNESDAY 25th NOVEMBER
2009
We have now been notified by the Public Health Department that we should receive the vaccine, plus all the associated paperwork, next week. With this in mind, we have set up 2 clinics to administer the vaccine to the groups specified by the Government. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU ARE IN THE SPECIFIED GROUPS BEFORE YOU RING FOR AN APPOINTMENT AS WE CANNOT VACCINATE ANYONE ELSE.
If you aged 6
months to 65 years and are in the groups who have:
· chronic respiratory disease (COPD)
· chronic heart disease
· chronic kidney disease
· chronic liver disease
· Diabetes
· Chronic neurological disease (eg stroke or TIA)
Contact us for an appointment in the special swine flu vaccine clinics. DO NOT RING UNTIL AFTER 10AM.
If you have a weak immune system or live in the same house as someone who does: (e.g. due to disease or treatment, patients undergoing chemotherapy, HIV infection, no spleen or splenic dysfunction, people taking high dose steroids).
Contact us for an appointment in the special swine flu vaccine clinics. DO NOT RING UNTIL AFTER 10AM.
If you are
over 65 years of age:
The current information from the
DHSS is that: “Once the [at risk groups in the under 65
age group] have been vaccinated, the over 65s with
chronic health problems can then be vaccinated.
We do draw your attention to the fact that H1N1
vaccine is not to be offered to over 65s unless they
have underlying medical problems, placing them in the
at risk category”.
Please
do not contact the surgery if you fall into the over 65
age group as we WILL NOT be able to give you the
vaccine.
We can only apply the regulations set by the
DHSS and do not have the ability to change these
decisions.
If you have concerns about not receiving the vaccine,
you should address them to the Public Health
Department.
If you are
wondering about having a child under 5 vaccinated:
The current information from the DHSS is that: “we are focusing on the priority groups. [The DHSS] will review the situation with regard to the under 5s once we have covered the priority groups”.
If you are a
Carer:
The current information from the DHSS is that: “Carers of disabled people are not a priority category for H1N1 flu vaccine, unless they have any underlying medical problems they are not at greater risk or either developing the flu or complications. However so far as carers are concerned [the DHSS] will keep the situation under review”.
If you are
pregnant:
The current information from the
DHSS is that: “Pregnant women in the IOM are being
offered the Baxter product which is non ad
If you work
within a residential or nursing home:
The current information from the
DHSS is that: “work is currently in progress to
identify the staff within care homes who need the
vaccination – this is being led by Social Services”.
Please
do not contact the surgery if you fall into this group
as we WILL NOT be able to give you the vaccine unless
you are also in the at risk groups above.
If you are
not in any of the groups but want to have the vaccine
privately:
The vaccine is not currently
available in the
Influenza A, H1N1 (Swine Flu)
THE advice
from the
Dr Paul
Emerson, Acting Director of Public Health, explained:
‘The
declaration of a level 6 pandemic is not unexpected,
and reflects the fact that swine flu is spreading
significantly in two continents, North America and
Australia.
The
declaration of a pandemic does not mean that the virus
has become more deadly or serious – the flu is still
relatively mild with very few deaths in global terms.
But it does send a clear signal to health officials and
businesses around the world to prepare for the
possibility of large numbers of people catching the
virus in their areas. In the
WHAT TO DO IF
YOU THINK THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE SWINE FLU.
DO NOT,
UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
COME TO THE SURGERY OR GO TO A&E OR MEDS.
-
Stay at home and contact your GP by phone if you have flu-like symptoms – fever, cough, sore throat or body aches and pains.
-
Make sure that you:
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WASH your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face, or to other people.
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Clean all hard surfaces like door handles frequently, using a normal cleaning product.
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Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, using a tissue, and disposing of it promptly. Do not use an ordinary handkerchief, as you should throw the tissue away after every use.
-
-
If you do not have the flu symptoms you should continue to live life as normal. There is no vaccine available as yet.
-
In
For
further information and updates please check the
dedicated web pages, which include:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8021958.stm
http://www.gov.im/dhss/about/Public_Health/hp/pandemicflu/