A VIDEO featuring Ashbourne patients has been launched in the town to help people avoid catching the flu this winter.
The video, which was launched by NHS Derby City and NHS Derbyshire County at Ashbourne Medical Practice, involves the patients, along with representatives from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce and Chesterfield Football Club.
It is designed to highlight the importance of having the flu jab and helps to address some of the myths that have built up around the vaccine.
Jane Careless, immunisation coordinator, at NHS Derbyshire County, said: “We hope that this video which stars local health professionals and patients will go some way to ensuring that more people are vaccinated this winter.
“The patients featured in the video say in their own words why having the jab is so important to them.
“Anyone watching the video can see just how simple, painless and easy it is to protect themselves from a virus which can cause severe illness and in some cases prove fatal.”
The launch of the video is to tie in with a warning that more than 60,000 people who are eligible for a free flu jab have not stepped forward for it, placing them at risk of catching the disease.
The uptake, doctors say, is currently 70 per cent for over 65s, 47 per cent for under 65s and 39 per cent for pregnant women.
At-risk patients are more susceptible to the virus because they have an existing health condition or their immune systems are not working as efficiently.
These include elderly people aged 65 or over, pregnant women, and those with those with long-term illnesses such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease. The vaccine is also offered free of charge to carers and people living in long stay residential care homes.
The cost of flu to the economy each year in Derby and Derbyshire is £18.36m and the video is also aimed at encouraging employers and staff to protect themselves and those around them.
To find out more visit www.derbycitypct.nhs.uk/staying-healthy/derbyshire-flu-safe and to see the video visit www.derbycitypct.nhs.uk/staying-healthy/flu
