'Get flu vaccination' says woman left bedbound

Only 27% of younger people in medically at-risk groups took up the vaccine offer last winter

A woman, left bedbound for four days after catching flu, says it is the most ill she has been since being left paralysed after contracting viral meningitis.

Sophie Shuttleworth, 33, from Newport, said the paralysis from the chest down left her with a weaker immune system, which increased the severity of the flu last winter.

Figures from Public Health Wales (PHW) showed that more than 2,000 people in Wales needed hospital care last winter after testing positive for flu.

PHW, launching its annual immunisation programme, is advising people like Sophie with long-term health conditions to take up the offer of a jab.

Sophie Shuttleworth said her experience was frightening

Sophie said she first noticed she was unwell after going out on New Year's Eve.

"At first it was a normal sniffle, then a cough, then it got progressively worse, I couldn't even get up.

"Because of being paralysed from the chest down I tend to get neuropathy pain in my arms, and the pain during the flu was a thousand times worse."

"I was bedbound for a good four days, there were two weeks I was really ill with it, and then for a few weeks after it still lingered.

"My lung capacity isn't great, normally it's fine, but when I had the flu it was frightening.

"I remember thinking 'I should have got the jab'.

Sophie said after her experience she will now be booking her first flu vaccine appointment at the first opportunity.

"If you're eligible to have it, if you have a health issue, then I would recommend people go and get it."

Who can get a flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is offered every winter and almost a million people are vaccinated in Wales every year.

Those eligible for a free flu shot include people over 65, people aged between six months and 64 with a long-term health condition, carers and pregnant women.

Others eligible are health and social care workers, care home residents, and children between two and 16 years of age.

In the last winter season, 70% of the over 65s took up the vaccine offer, slightly down on the year before.

But only 27% of younger people in medically at-risk groups, like Sophie, were vaccinated.

'Easily spread'

Dr Christopher Johnson, head of PHW's vaccine preventable disease programme, said: "Winter viruses such as flu are easily spread and can be very serious for older people and those with health conditions."

Isabel Oliver, Wales' chief medical officer, said: "Vaccination remains the most effective tool against flu, but simple hygiene measures like washing hands regularly, and staying home if you are unwell, also help prevent infections that can be very serious for some people."

She said last year's flu season started early and continued through the winter.

"Don't delay getting your vaccinations when invited, give yourself the best protection for the season ahead."