Messages from this group give Ealing residents the information they need to help them stay healthy. Topics currently include: help to stop smoking, sexual health advice and how to choose and book a hospital of your choice for treatment. More health information will be added regularly.
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Questions and answers about the swine flu vaccination programme Scientists have now developed a vaccine. Here we answer some of the most common questions about the vaccine and who will receive it first. When can I get the vaccine? The vaccine has been licensed by the European Medicines Agency (EMeA) and vaccines will be distributed across the country shortly. The first people could start to receive the vaccine from the end of October. However, we are still not sure how much vaccine we will be given locally and when we will receive it. Is there enough vaccine for everyone? The NHS should receive enough vaccine for up to 30 million people, about half the population, by the end of this year. Not all of the vaccine will arrive at once, so we need to prioritise those who need it most. People at greater risk of becoming more seriously ill from swine flu will be given it first. Further supplies of vaccine will arrive next year. Who are the high risk groups? People who are most at risk from swine flu need to be vaccinated first. These groups are, in order of priority: 1. People between six months and 65 years old who usually get the seasonal flu jab
Frontline health and social care workers will also be offered the vaccine. They are at an increased risk of catching swine flu and of spreading it to other at-risk patients. And why aren’t children included in the priority groups? If a child has an underlying health condition and usually has the seasonal flu jab they will need to be vaccinated against swine flu. Otherwise it is important that we prioritise those who need it most. If I am in a priority group is it compulsory to be vaccinated? No, the swine flu vaccine is voluntary. However, we strongly encourage everyone in an at-risk group to have it. Ultimately, it is down to individuals to decide whether they, or any children in their care, have a vaccine or not. This is the same for all vaccines, not just swine flu. How do I know if I am in a priority group? You can find further information about high-risk groups on the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk. If you are in a high-risk group, your GP will write to you about getting the vaccine. What is a ‘household contact’? If you live with someone whose immune system is compromised, such as someone with cancer or HIV/AIDS, then you are classified as a ‘household contact’. It is important that you have the vaccine to help protect the at-risk person you live with. When will everyone else who isn’t in a priority group receive the vaccine? It is important that we focus on those people most at risk from swine flu first. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is looking at whether we need to extend the vaccination programme beyond the priority groups. I’ve already had swine flu, do I still need to be vaccinated? You can only be certain that you’ve had swine flu if it was confirmed by a laboratory test. Otherwise, you may have had normal flu or another viral illness. Unless you know for sure that you had swine flu, and are in one of the high risk groups listed, you should have the vaccination. THE VACCINE Is the vaccine safe? Yes. People will be vaccinated only after it has been licensed by the European Medicine Agency (EMeA). Will the vaccine give me swine flu? No. The vaccine does not carry a ‘live’ virus so it can’t give you swine flu. Does the vaccine have any side effects? Aside from a slightly sore arm, some people may experience mild fever for up to 48 hours. This happens as their immune system responds to the vaccine, but it’s not flu. As with most vaccines, the most common side effects are a mild fever, general aches and pains, a rash and feeling tired. These will usually go away within a day or two. If you are concerned about side effects, talk to your GP. Can I have the swine flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines? Yes. The swine flu vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines including the seasonal flu jab. I’m in a high-risk group, when can I get the vaccine? The vaccine could be licensed by the beginning of October. It will then take a week or two to distribute the vaccine across the country. The first people could therefore start to receive the vaccine by the middle of October. Where can I get the swine flu vaccine? This will be the largest national vaccination programme since the 1950s. We are currently discussing the best way of organising the vaccination plan with the British Medical Association and NHS organisations. We will announce details of the plan in the coming weeks. GENERAL SWINE FLU QUESTIONS What is the difference between seasonal flu and swine flu? Seasonal flu happens every year. Swine flu is a new virus that has spread quickly around the world causing a pandemic. Viruses like this are quite rare but can be far more prevalent than normal flu. There were three flu pandemics in the 20th century. The last one was in 1968. If the virus is mild, why are we buying enough vaccine for the whole population? The swine flu virus is new and so we are all susceptible to catching it. While most people with swine flu only have mild symptoms, some can become more seriously ill. While we are still learning more about swine flu it is right that we take a ‘safety first’ approach. We are working with clinical and scientific experts to better understand the virus. Their advice is that the best form of protection against a new virus is to vaccinate people against it. I’m worried about swine flu but I’m not in a priority group – what do I do? People in the priority groups are more at risk of becoming seriously ill from swine flu. Most other people will have only mild symptoms. If you think that you might have swine flu, stay at home and contact the National Pandemic Flu Service at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemic flu or call 0800 1 513 100. They can give you advice and, if necessary, provide you with antiviral drugs. |
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As a result of the increasing numbers of people visiting their GP with flu symptoms and because of the need to be able to give antivirals to increasing numbers of people quickly, National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) is now up and running.People in England can access swine flu advice and treatment through this new service, rather than by visiting their GP. People diagnosed with swine flu will be given an authorisation code that a flu friend – a friend or relative who does not have swine flu – can use to pick up antivirals from a local Antiviral Collection Point (ACP). People who are at greater risk of serious complications, including all children under one, will be advised to contact their GPs. In the meantime, if a friend, relative or colleague has swine flu, you should advise them to:
If you do experience symptoms, you can help yourself by staying at home, following the advice above, resting, drinking plenty of fluids and taking over-the-counter flu remedies to relieve symptoms. If your condition worsens you should contact your GP. |
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A free service for those suffering from heart and respiratory problems delivering elevated air pollution alerts via SMS, voicemail or email. Click on this link for information www.airtext.info |
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Choose and Book is a new service that lets you choose your hospital or clinic and book an appointment. If your GP agrees that you need an appointment at a hospital, you can choose which hospital you go to along with the date and time of the appointment. It’s ideal if you are having other treatments and appointments, or need to fit in your treatment with other commitments at home or work. Choose and Book is easy to use. See the attached document for more information. |
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What's all the fuss? What's the BIG DEAL? Chlamydia, that's what! But KAZ, a young team working in Ealing, can help. You may have mild symptoms, or no symptons at all, but 1 in 10 people under 25 who have been tested, are infected with chlamydia. If left untreated, it can lead to long term health problems such as infertility in men and women, pelvic inflammatory disease and damange to the fallopian tubes. If you are under 25 years and have ever had sex, you can get a FREE test kit. The test is FREE, painless, simple and confidential. To get a kit and for more information, please see the attached information. |
