From: Ian blenkharn@ianblenkharn.com
Category: News & information
Date: 25 Aug 2008
Time: 11:55:24 +0200
Remote Name: 86.146.8.18
A 'Dear Colleague' letter from the UK Department of Health regarding the 2008/2009 seasonal influenza programme urges healthcare workers and carers to take advantage of the influenza vaccine. The letter reports that excellent progress has been made towards the World Health Organization's target of 75% uptake in those aged 65 years and over. However, the Department of Health would like to see improvement in update in other risk groups, such as carers and healthcare workers.
Though there is some uncertainty about the protective effect of flu vaccination, the consensus is that this is both safe and effective. The Department of Health suggest that healthcare staff and carers should be vaccinated, but who else? Many key worker groups could benefit from vaccination, and of course that would provide a tangible benefit to the community at large - transport workers, police and security staff, food production and distribution, power workers etc. The list seems endless, and though few occupational groups can really be considered 'essential', the effect on services can be such that their absence through ill health can cripple services and fully justify the investment in vaccination.
And what about waste handlers?
We don't want to waste disposal services to be interrupted, as even small perturbations in the timetable of waste management can cause problems.
Of course, those wastes will wait, though it might be inconvenient, at least transiently. But should we consider those handling clinical wastes to be at particular risk and move them toward the front of the flu vaccine queue?
In the event of an epidemic, they will be exposed to a large amount of infectious material and the risks may be significantly increased.
And we still await the bird flu pandemic, that needs already careful forward planning among which vaccination plays a central role. And what about other disposal staff, including those handling domestic refuse? Many flu victims will stay at home, suffering badly but not to the extent that will necessitate hospitalisation.
Paper hankies at the ready? Into the rubbish sack - don't even think of recycling - and domestic waste refuse staff are at increased risk also. Where does it stop?
If you can get a flu vaccination, don't hesitate.