Asthma patients are playing ‘Russian Roulette’ with their lives and risking a fatal attack by not getting the flu jab, charity warns
- All 5.4 million Britons with asthma are allowed to get the jab for free each winter
- But 23% of these are not going to get their annual jab, according to a new survey
- Asthma UK commissioned the poll of 1,000 asthma patients living in the UK
One million asthma patients in the UK are playing ‘Russian Roulette’ with their lives because they are planning to shun the flu vaccine, a charity has warned.
All 5.4 million Britons with the condition are allowed to get the vaccine for free each winter.
But 23 per cent of these are not going to get their annual jab, according to a new survey commissioned by Asthma UK.
Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at the charity, said: ‘People with asthma who are shunning the flu jab could be playing Russian Roulette with their life.
Victoria Taylor, 29, suffered an asthma attack triggered by the influenza virus after she didn’t get her annual jab
‘The majority of people with asthma say colds and flu are their top trigger so it makes sense for them to try and protect themselves by getting the flu jab.
‘Unfortunately, there are lots of myths about the flu jab not working, causing side effects or causing flu.
‘In fact, the vaccine can’t give you flu, the side effects are minimal and it could save people’s lives by preventing a life-threatening asthma attack.’
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The survey of 1,000 asthma patients in the UK also delved into why they were not planning on getting the jab this winter.
A third of respondents revealed they were worried about the side effects, while 27 per cent were sceptical about whether it would work.
The flu virus can worsen inflammation in the airways so they narrow, leaving patients coughing, wheezing and gasping for breath.
ASTHMA PATIENT HOSPITALISED AFTER SKIPPING FREE FLU JAB
Victoria Taylor, 29, suffered an asthma attack triggered by the influenza virus
An asthma patient has revealed how she was hospitalised after skipping the free flu jab.
Victoria Taylor, 29, suffered an asthma attack triggered by the influenza virus.
Recalling her ordeal, she said: ‘When I got flu I found myself struggling to breathe and had an asthma attack.
‘It was terrifying and felt like my lungs were filled with cement.
‘No matter how many times I used my blue inhaler I couldn’t get my breathing under control.
‘I had to call an ambulance and spent a week in hospital recovering.’
Ms Taylor added: ‘I had no idea that flu could be so dangerous for people with asthma and it nearly killed me.
‘Since then, I always get the flu jab and I’m urging everyone else with asthma to get it as it could save your life.’
Asthma UK warned this means they are more likely to react to other triggers, such as pollen or pollution – increasing the chance of an asthma attack.
The charity urged patients to get the jab as soon as possible because it takes up to two weeks for it be fully effective.
Figures show around three people die from an asthma attack in the UK every day.
IS THE FLU OUTBREAK WORSE THIS YEAR?
Rates of flu are already higher in the UK this winter than they were at the same point during last year’s outbreak, considered the worst in seven years.
Officials monitor influenza each year by asking hundreds of GPs to report how often symptoms of the virus are reported per 100,000 patients.
At week 40 last year:
- England: 6.8 per 100,000
- Wales: 5.7 per 100,000
- Scotland: 4.5 per 100,000
- Northern Ireland: 3.4 per 100,000
At week 40 this year:
- England: 4.2 per 100,000
- Wales: 5.9 per 100,000
- Scotland: 7.1 per 100,000
- Northern Ireland: 3.8 per 100,000
Each country has its own criteria per how often flu symptoms are reported per 100,000 patients as to what classes as an epidemic.
The charity’s stark warning comes ahead of this year’s flu outbreak, which usually peaks between December and January.
Rates of flu are already higher in the UK this winter than they were at the same point during last year’s outbreak, considered the worst in seven years.
Experts have long warned that it’s a question of when, not if, another flu pandemic hits.
The last one, in 1918, led to the deaths of between 50 to 100 million people and has been described as one of the deadliest human disasters ever.
Flu viruses are constantly changing proteins on their surface to avoid detection by the body’s immune system – making it more deadly.
This transformation is called an ‘antigenic shift’ if it’s large enough, and can lead to a pandemic. This was responsible for the swine flu outbreak in 2009.
Up to 26 million people across the UK will be offered a free vaccine on the NHS this winter.
The programme targets over-65s, young children, pregnant women and anyone with severe chronic illness such as asthma, heart failure or diabetes.
Last winter’s jab worked for fewer than one in three of the over-65s given it — and many of the 15,000 flu deaths in the UK were older patients.
All NHS staff have been told to receive the flu vaccine to help protect vulnerable patients against the virus this winter, health officials last month.
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