RPS and RCGP joint statement on flu
vaccines
12th January 2011
There has been a large amount of flu circulating in the
community over the last few weeks. Flu is usually an illness that
affects older people, however this year we have seen much more flu
in younger adults and children. This, coupled with media interest,
has lead to unusual post Christmas demand for vaccination.
Ensuring that pharmacists and doctors have all the information and
medicines they need to help patients is our top priority.
Pharmacists at The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and doctors
at The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) are working
collaboratively together and with the Department of Health to
ensure patients receive the right medicines and good advice
promptly.
Both organisations have been keeping their members updated with the
latest advice regarding supplies of anti-viral medicines and flu
vaccinations and have dedicated web pages to ensure all the
information can be easily accessed.
We are also feeding back any information we receive from
pharmacists or doctors to the Department of Health directly.
Regarding vaccine supplies and recent media reports, we would like
to clarify that pharmacists and doctors on the frontline are
working tirelessly make sure patients get the advice and treatments
they need. Both the RPS and RCGP will be taking part in the
review of the NHS response to flu this year.
Martin Astbury, RPS President commented “We know pharmacists will
work together locally with other health professionals, as they
always do, to ensure patients get the supplies of medicines, advice
and treatment that they need. Through this collaboration
pharmacists will do everything within their power to ensure those
in at-risk groups are vaccinated. We would encourage anyone in the
at-risk groups who has not yet been vaccinated to approach their
GP.”
Dr Clare Gerada, Chair of the RCGP, said: ” GPs and pharmacists
have been working extremely hard to target those in the at-risk
groups who are most in need of the seasonal flu jab, and with
uptake firmly on the rise they are doing a great job. Equally
patients in the at-risk groups are coming forward for the vaccine,
which is very promising. It’s really important the
public and professions receive consistent messages and this good
work continues and we are really pleased to be collaborating with
the RPS to ensure GPs and their teams get access to the right
information throughout the flu season.”
For media enquiries please contact:
The RPS media team on 020 7572 2653 or 07860 643862
The RCGP press office 020 3188 7576 / 7575 / 7574 or 07885 958
632
Notes to Editors
- The at-risk groups are people with:
- Chronic respiratory disease, including asthma
- Chronic neurological disease
- Chronic heart disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Diabetes
- Immunosuppression
- Pregnancy
About the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is the new professional
body for every pharmacist in Great Britain. The RPS leads and
supports the development of the pharmacy profession within the
context of public benefit. This includes the advancement of
science, practice, education and knowledge in pharmacy. In
addition, it promotes the profession’s policies and views to a
range of external stakeholders in a number of different forums.
About the RCGP
The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of over
42,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work
to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical
practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training,
research and clinical standards.