Public Health Wales (PHW) is advising individuals with long-term health conditions to get immunised against influenza (flu) this year.
Having chronic health conditions significantly increases the risk for complications associated with flu, including pneumonia. Individuals with diabetes, heart, liver and kidney disease, stroke, transient ischaemic attacks and respiratory conditions are more prone to flu-related complications.
Individuals with COPD or moderate-severe asthma have a 7-fold risk for mortality from flu compared with individuals without these conditions. Additionally, adults with a BMI ≥40, splenic dysfunction or a weakened immune system (e.g. patients with cancer) are also highly susceptible to the effects of flu, and should be vaccinated.
The flu vaccine uptake in Wales was disappointing among this risk group last year. Around 50% of individuals aged 6 months to 64 years with chronic conditions eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination missed out on getting immunised.