Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Posted on: Thursday 15 April 2010
Swine flu vaccine advised for people travelling to the Southern Hemisphere
Travellers from Kirklees who are visiting countries in the Southern Hemisphere during their influenza season are being encouraged to get vaccinated with the H1N1 vaccine against swine flu before they embark on their journey.
Health bosses in Kirklees are advising that the swine flu vaccine is administered to individuals before they travel to Southern Hemisphere countries in order to decrease the risk of contracting swine flu while overseas, and also to reduce the risk of the traveller bringing the virus back from abroad.
It is recommended that travellers, including those who are planning to visit South Africa for the 2010 World Cup, contact their local <ACRONYM title="General Practitioner">GP</ACRONYM> for vaccination, or further advice, as soon as possible.
Despite low levels of the virus circulating in Kirklees, vaccination continues to be recommended for people in groups deemed to be at ?higher risk? of complications from the virus. The programme for vaccination of the following high clinical risk groups will continue into spring and summer 2010, with levels of the virus expected to rise during the next influenza season:
? People with certain underlying illness, such as asthma, chronic heart disease, chronic renal disease, illnesses of the nervous system, cancer and diabetes
? Pregnant women
? Front-line health and social care workers
Dr Judith Hooper, Director of Public Health for <ACRONYM title="National Health Service">NHS</ACRONYM> Kirklees and Kirklees Council, said: "Even though levels of swine flu are currently low across Kirklees it is important to bear in mind we are not in our influenza season. However, countries in the Southern Hemisphere are approaching their influenza season, which could mean swine flu circulation increases in those countries.
"Anybody who will be travelling to countries in the Southern Hemisphere over the next few months should consider vaccination against the virus to protect themselves and the people around them."
http://www.kirklees.nhs.uk/news/news-item/article/573/7/link//83eb4c14ca/
Swine flu vaccine advised for people travelling to the Southern Hemisphere
Travellers from Kirklees who are visiting countries in the Southern Hemisphere during their influenza season are being encouraged to get vaccinated with the H1N1 vaccine against swine flu before they embark on their journey.
Health bosses in Kirklees are advising that the swine flu vaccine is administered to individuals before they travel to Southern Hemisphere countries in order to decrease the risk of contracting swine flu while overseas, and also to reduce the risk of the traveller bringing the virus back from abroad.
It is recommended that travellers, including those who are planning to visit South Africa for the 2010 World Cup, contact their local <ACRONYM title="General Practitioner">GP</ACRONYM> for vaccination, or further advice, as soon as possible.
Despite low levels of the virus circulating in Kirklees, vaccination continues to be recommended for people in groups deemed to be at ?higher risk? of complications from the virus. The programme for vaccination of the following high clinical risk groups will continue into spring and summer 2010, with levels of the virus expected to rise during the next influenza season:
? People with certain underlying illness, such as asthma, chronic heart disease, chronic renal disease, illnesses of the nervous system, cancer and diabetes
? Pregnant women
? Front-line health and social care workers
Dr Judith Hooper, Director of Public Health for <ACRONYM title="National Health Service">NHS</ACRONYM> Kirklees and Kirklees Council, said: "Even though levels of swine flu are currently low across Kirklees it is important to bear in mind we are not in our influenza season. However, countries in the Southern Hemisphere are approaching their influenza season, which could mean swine flu circulation increases in those countries.
"Anybody who will be travelling to countries in the Southern Hemisphere over the next few months should consider vaccination against the virus to protect themselves and the people around them."
http://www.kirklees.nhs.uk/news/news-item/article/573/7/link//83eb4c14ca/