Update - Pneumococcal vaccine campaign

VOL: 102, ISSUE: 30, PAGE NO: 44

An eight-week public-awareness campaign to improve the uptake of pneumococcal vaccine has been carried out by a PCT in the Midlands. An immunisation team from Dudley Beacon & Castle and Dudley South Primary Care Trusts visited supermarkets and were able to talk to over 800 people and hand out leaflets, free tissues and balloons. The campaign also involved radio advertising, and placing articles in the local press.

An eight-week public-awareness campaign to improve the uptake of pneumococcal vaccine has been carried out by a PCT in the Midlands. An immunisation team from Dudley Beacon & Castle and Dudley South Primary Care Trusts visited supermarkets and were able to talk to over 800 people and hand out leaflets, free tissues and balloons. The campaign also involved radio advertising, and placing articles in the local press.

The Department of Health recommends vaccination against pneumococcal disease for people over 65 years of age and at-risk patients who have chronic medical conditions.

Health Protection Agency statistics published in 2005 highlighted that the national uptake for the pneumococcal vaccination was only 25.5% for those aged between 65 years and 74 years.