This flu season Health launched a ‘comprehensive’ immunisation programme to reduce the estimated 15,000 cases of flu seen in the Island each year.
For the first time Islanders have been able to receive the flu jab at their local pharmacy – with 3,500 accessing the vaccine this way.
Medics also went into the Island’s nurseries and primary schools to immunise children, who are regarded as ‘super spreaders’, with nasal sprays.
The age group of children eligible to receive the vaccine was also broadened to include youngsters aged between two and 11. Previously only those aged up to nine received the immunisation.
Dr Linda Diggle, head of preventive programmes at Health, said that by making it easier for people to be immunised and targeting vulnerable groups such as those with diabetes or long-term health conditions, 24,000 Islanders had had the vaccine.
According to latest figures the number of reported influenza type illnesses up until 15 January this year was 755. The number of cases reported up to 16 January 2017 was 1,340.
The figures have been released as hospitals in the UK are facing significant pressures, with many turning patients away due to the number of flu cases, including those with the so-called Aussie flu.
Dr Ivan Muscat, consultant microbiologist at the Hospital, said he did not believe Jersey would be badly hit by ‘Aussie flu’. ‘I would expect that we would have seen something emerging by now if it was going to hit here. However, influenza is always unpredictable,’ he said.
Although Jersey tends to mirror the UK in terms of influenza, Dr Muscat said he could not explain why the Island had been predominately hit by strain B of the virus this season whereas the UK had experienced a higher number of cases relating to strain A.
He added that as well as flu, respiratory syncytial virus – which causes a bronchitis-type of illness – adds to the winter pressure. There is no vaccine for RSV.
Although there has been significant pressure on the Hospital, it has not been as ‘dramatic’ as that seen in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, said Dr Muscat.
‘What people worry about is the possibility of a peak of RSV with a peak of influenza activity. That would mean there would be a large number of cases happening at the same time putting a lot of pressure on medical services.
‘This year we have not seen them coinciding. RSV occurred before influenza began to take off.
‘Additionally the type of flu that we have had this year in Jersey is predominately influenza B. Influenza B tends to cause infection in younger people and middle-aged people rather that those over the age of 65.
‘Younger people tend to be fitter and less likely to develop complications and less likely to require hospital admissions.’
Dr Diggle said that she was ‘pleased’ that there was a greater vaccination uptake this year compared to last.
Up until 1 January, 35 per cent of adults with long-term illnesses had the vaccination compared to 24 per cent for the entire flu season 2016/17.
Meanwhile, 59 per cent of those aged 65 and over had taken up the offer of the vaccine up to 1 January, compared to 50 per cent for the whole of the last flu season.
And while 2,500 primary school children received the vaccine last season this rose to 4,500 children this year.
When asked whether Health was considering offering the vaccine to pupils in secondary schools in the future, Dr Diggle said: ‘We are just discussing that at the moment. It’s too early to report on that.’
