Bid to boost take-up of free flu jabs

Public Health England has issued an easy-to-read leaflet about flu in a bid to boost numbers of people with learning disabilities taking up their free vaccination.

The All about flu and how to stop getting it guide uses images to illustrate key symptoms, and how, when and where people can get vaccinated.

Respiratory disease

The Confidential Inquiry into the Deaths of People with Learning Disability 2013, backed by the Department of Health, reviewed the deaths of 247 people with learning disabilities, and found respiratory disease was the cause in a third of cases.

Since 2014, people with learning disabilities in England have been in the priority group entitled to a free flu vaccination. Carers are also advised to get immunised.

Free flu vaccination

Charity Mencap urged the government to publicise the service after it found three quarters of GP surgeries in England failed to actively offer people with learning disabilities a free flu vaccination.

In a survey of 100 surgeries during the winter of 2014-15, Mencap found some had incorrectly advised patients with learning disabilities to pay privately for the flu jab.

Further information:

Confidential Inquiry into the Deaths of People with Learning Disability 2013 (pdf)

Public Health England leaflet: All about flu and how to stop getting it (pdf)