HAMISH MACDONELL SCOTTISH POLITICAL EDITOR
EVERY person aged 65 or over in Scotland will be
vaccinated against a virulent and dangerous type of pneumonia in an
attempt to prevent hundreds of deaths every year.
More than three-quarters of a million pensioners will be immunised against pneumococcal infections in the biggest mass vaccination project of this type ever seen in Britain.
Pneumonia is one of the most common causes of death among the elderly and the very young in Britain, particularly during the winter. Executive officials stressed yesterday that the injection would not prevent people from contracting pneumonia but it would reduce the effects of one of the most serious kinds of the illness.
A spokeswoman said: "This will not stop people from getting ill but what it should do is mitigate the effects of the pneumonia and make sure that many more people survive."
There are two types of pneumonia, one of which, the invasive kind, causes serious complications such as septicaemia and meningitis and kills one in five patients. The vaccine is designed to prevent these other illnesses from taking hold.
The radical plan is being pursued by the Scottish Executive alone and the government in Westminster has no plans, at present, to follow the Scottish lead.
If, however, the Scottish initiative proves successful, the Department of Health in London may adopt the same policy.
It is understood pensioners will be offered the injection when they go in for their flu shot but, unlike the flu vaccination, which needs to be given once a year, the pneumococcal infection shot will last for ten years.
The over-65s account for one in six of the Scottish population, about 785,000 people, and every one will be offered the vaccination.
An Executive spokeswoman said the total cost had not been calculated yet but would be announced next month.
Yesterday’s announcement represented an indication of the Executive’s willingness to offer the vaccination, but the details will be worked out by an expert group appointed by the Executive.
The programme is expected to start in autumn 2003, protecting the elderly ahead of next winter.
Frank McAveety, the deputy health minister, said: "This initiative will extend the protection from disease to older people in Scotland.
"Unlike the flu vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine will provide individuals with protection for ten years, so they will not have to have this jab every year."
The announcement coincided with a public appeal from Dr Mac Armstrong, Scotland’s chief medical officer, for the elderly to follow basic winter precautions. He emphasised five key points for keeping well: ensure at least one room in the house is well-heated; keep a supply of warm drinks; wear warm clothing; don’t go outside unnecessarily; and wear sturdy shoes out of doors.
And Dr Armstrong appealed to the public: "If you live near an elderly friend or relative, please take the time to check up on them.
"In addition, ensuring that the people you look after have had their flu jab this year could make the difference between enjoying the holiday and an unpleasant visit to hospital."
More than three-quarters of a million pensioners will be immunised against pneumococcal infections in the biggest mass vaccination project of this type ever seen in Britain.
Pneumonia is one of the most common causes of death among the elderly and the very young in Britain, particularly during the winter. Executive officials stressed yesterday that the injection would not prevent people from contracting pneumonia but it would reduce the effects of one of the most serious kinds of the illness.
A spokeswoman said: "This will not stop people from getting ill but what it should do is mitigate the effects of the pneumonia and make sure that many more people survive."
There are two types of pneumonia, one of which, the invasive kind, causes serious complications such as septicaemia and meningitis and kills one in five patients. The vaccine is designed to prevent these other illnesses from taking hold.
The radical plan is being pursued by the Scottish Executive alone and the government in Westminster has no plans, at present, to follow the Scottish lead.
If, however, the Scottish initiative proves successful, the Department of Health in London may adopt the same policy.
It is understood pensioners will be offered the injection when they go in for their flu shot but, unlike the flu vaccination, which needs to be given once a year, the pneumococcal infection shot will last for ten years.
The over-65s account for one in six of the Scottish population, about 785,000 people, and every one will be offered the vaccination.
An Executive spokeswoman said the total cost had not been calculated yet but would be announced next month.
Yesterday’s announcement represented an indication of the Executive’s willingness to offer the vaccination, but the details will be worked out by an expert group appointed by the Executive.
The programme is expected to start in autumn 2003, protecting the elderly ahead of next winter.
Frank McAveety, the deputy health minister, said: "This initiative will extend the protection from disease to older people in Scotland.
"Unlike the flu vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine will provide individuals with protection for ten years, so they will not have to have this jab every year."
The announcement coincided with a public appeal from Dr Mac Armstrong, Scotland’s chief medical officer, for the elderly to follow basic winter precautions. He emphasised five key points for keeping well: ensure at least one room in the house is well-heated; keep a supply of warm drinks; wear warm clothing; don’t go outside unnecessarily; and wear sturdy shoes out of doors.
And Dr Armstrong appealed to the public: "If you live near an elderly friend or relative, please take the time to check up on them.
"In addition, ensuring that the people you look after have had their flu jab this year could make the difference between enjoying the holiday and an unpleasant visit to hospital."
