A tissue, a tissue, we all fall down?

Released 06/11/2009

by Matt Jane

Having overcome a spot of man flu, Matthew Jane consider the cold and flu season

Precaution is in the air at Practice Business towers. The snifflers are being sent home as a precaution, cups are being washed with increasing zealous after every use, and anyone who coughs or sneezes is ushered to a quiet corner of the office. As the advertisements that adorn the walls of the tube stations, bus stops and newspaper pages constantly remind us - the height of the cold and flu season is upon us.

I have to admit that I had a touch of the man flu recently, no more than a cold I am sure, but nonetheless, the immediate concern from my colleagues was that it could potentially be the dreaded swine flu.

Practices are now well versed in the swine flu issue and most practices will have a military style operation in place to ensure the public are vaccinated. The planning and preparation that goes into ensuring a smooth and efficient flu vaccination service may be a time consuming and slightly laborious task, but the results certainly pay dividends.

There was recent news in Belfast that the vaccination programme is on course, despite concerns that it was lagging behind and would not hit the December target. The high profile H1N1 strain will no doubt cause panic, concern and perhaps unnecessary GP visits among many patients. But as long as practices keep on top of the workload and stick to the well designed plans, hopefully the cold and flu season will pass without a hitch - or should I say sniffle.

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