World Cup travellers urged to get swine flu jab
March 18, 2010 – 8:00 pm
Football fans travelling to the World Cup in South Africa should be vaccinated against swine flu, the Department of Health has warned.
Although new cases of the pandemic virus in England are currently at low levels, the flu season in the southern hemisphere is due to start again soon.
Vaccination will help prevent people catching it abroad and bringing it back into the UK, officials said.
The latest figures show 456 people in the UK have died from swine flu.
"Everybody going to the World Cup, especially young people, would be well advised to have a dose of this vaccine"
Professor John Oxford, virologist
Although cases of the infection have dropped off dramatically in recent weeks, it is expected to return after the summer.
England’s Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus, which was first reported in the US and Mexico in early 2009, was likely to be the main strain circulating next winter.
He added: "The next flu season in the southern hemisphere will be starting soon and the pandemic flu virus is expected to return.
"Travellers should protect themselves by getting the vaccine well before they travel.
"Those attending the World Cup in South Africa in June should also take advantage of the protection the vaccine can offer."
Protection
Despite current low levels of swine flu it is still causing serious illness - in England there are 65 people in hospital and 14 patients in intensive care.
Vaccination began across the UK in October 2009 and doses are still being given to those at risk who include front line health and social care staff, those with underlying illness, pregnant women and children under five years.
It is estimated that more than five million doses have been given to priority groups in England.
Eligibility has now been extended to travellers to countries in the southern hemisphere after advice from government vaccination advisers.
Professor John Oxford, one of the UK’s leading flu virologists, urged football fans to heed the advice.
"At this precise moment the World Health Organization is worried about the African subcontinent - it looks like a potential hotspot.
"Everybody going to the World Cup, especially young people, would be well advised to have a dose of this vaccine."
He added that swine flu would remain a problem for at least one or probably a couple of winters to come. </p
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