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Fears of flu crisis after poor take-up of free jab
Sophie Goodchild24 Dec 2008
London is facing a potential flu crisis over Christmas and New Year, figures show today.
Fewer than one in three people classed as "at risk" have been immunised in parts of the capital.
The low uptake comes despite a government campaign to maximise the number of people vaccinated, and raises fears of a flu epidemic over Christmas.
Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: "We are worried about these figures.
"People have forgotten how serious it can be. It is not a cold, it can kill."
Doctors now fear that the biggest flu outbreak in eight years could be on its way, with young adults most at risk.
There has been a 73 per cent rise in people seeing their GPs with flu-like symptoms, the Royal College of General Practitioners said.
Many parts of London are below the national average in immunising patients at increased risk of flu, according to Health Protection Agency figures.
People classed as at risk include those over 65 and those with asthma, heart problems, kidney disease, liver disease or diabetes.
Nationally more than 44 per cent of those at risk have had the free jab, but at the end of last month the figure was 28 per cent in Barking and Dagenham, and 21 per cent in Wandsworth.
On average 69 per cent of those over 65 have been immunised nationwide, compared with 42.5 per cent in Barking and Dagenham, and less than 60 per cent in Havering.
Ministers have launched a campaign targeting famous people who are in the at-risk group to boost uptake.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson has written to figures including TV boss Michael Grade, actress Lynn Redgrave, both 65, and singer David Bowie, 61, who has a heart condition.
The letter advises them they are eligible for a free jab. Health chiefs warned the failure of at-risk patients to get inoculated is putting unprecedented pressure on A&E departments.
A spokesman for NHS London said: "We've seen an increase [on last year] in A&E admissions."
Fears over a flu epidemic come as emergency admissions for this month have soared by up to 15 per cent on last year.
Health chiefs blamed the poor flu jab rates for part of the rise.
A spokesman for Wandsworth primary care trust said it had increased its uptake to 39 per cent as of yesterday and was "committed to making sure our patients benefit from this immunisation programme".
A spokesman for Barking and Dagenham PCT said it had improved uptake and would write to all GPs "encouraging them to focus on the uptake of flu immunisations".
Reader views (2)
Another Nu Labor NHS targets blunder. NHS needs serious reorganizing and a lot of state can be taken out to make it better.
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London, 29/12/2008 09:58
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I would have one if i could get past doctors reception. Have to ring at 8 for appointment but always engaged . I work in London and have to catch early train so in the current climate cant take a day off for an injection. Others I speak to have the same problem. Probably one of the causes of low take up.
- John, Colchester, 25/12/2008 10:14
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