HEALTH chiefs are urging Cheshire residents who are offered the seasonal flu jab to take the opportunity to protect themselves and their families from the potentially fatal illness.

The Department of Health believes the appropriate action is to immunise those ‘at risk’ and health care workers against flu as more than 8,000 people suffer from seasonal flu-related deaths each year.

Latest figures from NHS North West show there are 1.3 million people in the region identified as being in ‘at risk’ groups who suffer from diabetes, asthma, heart, kidney and lung disease and cancer, or because they are pregnant or aged over 65.

Doctors and nurses are being given the vaccination to ensure the services they provide for patients are maintained throughout the winter period.

Phil Morley, Mid Cheshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s chief executive, said: “I feel it is very important to take this opportunity to not only protect myself but also to protect my colleagues and staff, many of whom work directly with patients.”

Mr Morley hoped that people who are offered the seasonal flu vaccination make an appointment with their doctor to ensure they get their flu jab and added: “Each year’s strain of flu is different and patients with chronic illnesses such as asthma or diabetes, or 65 years or older, are particularly at risk.”

The first batches of swine flu vaccine have been sent out to hospitals in Cheshire and the vaccination programme started on Monday.

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, who is in charge of the HPA’s immunisation for Cheshire, said: “Most people with swine flu have comparatively mild symptoms and recover quickly, but like all types of flu, it can have a severe effect on some people – vaccination is the best line of defence against swine flu.”

The HPA is asking residents to be vigilant about their symptoms – parents will need to be cautious, as the illness is difficult to diagnose in young children.

The symptoms of swine flu are sudden onset of fever as well as a cough or shortness of breath, headache, sore throat, tiredness, aching muscles, vomiting, runny nose, loss of appetite and diarrhoea.

Anyone who thinks they may have swine flu should contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1513 513 or visit direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu for information or 0800 1513 100 for treatment.