Patients at risk urged to have flu jab

HEALTH bosses in Oldham have urged residents at risk to get a free flu jab — over fears of a national outbreak.

Eight people from Greater Manchester — including two from Oldham — have died so far this winter after contracting the H1N1 swine flu virus.

Five-week-old baby Harvey Flanagan, from Stockport, was fighting for his life at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital after contracting the virus.

Prison wardens at HMP Manchester have been given the flu jabs after two prisoners caught the swine flu bug.

Lastest Government figures show 302 people were in intensive care units across the country with the flu. This year’s rates are far higher than during last year’s pandemic, when 180 flu victims were in intensive care units at any one time.

The Health Protection Agency said there were 17 confirmed flu deaths last week — with 13 from swine flu.

Alan Higgins, director of public health for Oldham, said three strains of seasonal flu viruses are circulating at the moment, of which swine flu was one.

“Around half of people in at-risk groups in Oldham have had their flu jab so far and we are on course to get three quarters of over 65s vaccinated. It is vital that people in risk-groups should contact their GP practice to get a flu jab.”