Flu Health Update From The HPA

“The flu vaccine is available for those who are clearly most at risk –pregnant women, those with underlying medical conditions and those aged 65xa0and over. I would again encourage anyone in those groups who has notxa0already had their flu vaccine, to get immunised. xa0Swine flu and otherxa0winter flu viruses are circulating in the community. You cannot thereforexa0avoid contact with these viruses, but you can reduce your risk of seriousxa0illness by getting the flu vaccine. “We have enough seasonal flu vaccine for patients in the at-risk groups andxa0if there is an unusually high level of demand, we can use the swine fluxa0vaccine if needed. “As of 10am on Sunday 9 January 2011, the PHA is now aware of 14 deathsxa0since 1 November 2010, of people who had the swine flu virus. For four ofxa0those, it is not yet known whether or not they had underlying healthxa0problems. Of the ten other deaths, all had underlying health problems.xa0These figures will be updated again on Thursday 13 January 2011, and weekly thereafter in the PHA Influenza bulletin.” Dr Harper continued, “I would like to express my sincere condolences to thexa0families of people who have died from swine flu. It is a sad reminder thatxa0swine flu, whilst an unpleasant but typically mild illness for most people,xa0can also be a very serious illness, particularly for those with underlyingxa0health problems. “However, the public should not be unduly concerned. Current levels of flu are similar to those in the year before the pandemic and are quite typical for this time of year. People should continue to follow the advice we’ve given about using a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, washing your hands often, and staying at home, or off school, if you have flu symptoms.” Further information on how to protect yourself from flu is available on thexa0Public Health Agency website at www.publichealth.hscni.net or www.fluawareni.info]]>