Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
06 October 2011 10:19
People flying out on holidays risk their lives by not getting vaccinated against seasonal flu, the Chief Medical Officer warned
Holidaymakers are risking their lives each year by not getting anti-seasonal flu jabs, the UK's Chief Medical Officer has warned.
The risks of catching flu and other conditions is a strong reason to organise comprehensive medical travel insurance.
New figures show 87% of people quizzed in a survey would get vaccinated against tropical diseases before trips abroad, but only half of under 65s who were advised to get the seasonal flu jab did so in 2010.
However, seasonal flu can endanger life - there were 602 deaths with flu in the UK last year, with 70% of those among 15-64 year olds. And those travelling routinely accept jabs against yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A before flying off on holidays to Thailand or Africa.
A potentially life-saving flu jab would take five minutes, Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said.
She added: "Flu can be a serious illness - particularly for those in at risk groups. It can result in a spell in hospital, and sadly, flu can kill. The best way to protect yourself is to be vaccinated."
19 January 2019
Every three seconds, someone in the UK has an asthma attack - new figures show.
[more...]
18 January 2019
A plant-based diet is needed to protect future generations and safeguard the wellbeing of the planet, according to experts.
17 January 2019
Campaigners are protesting outside the High Court in London as the legal challenge against Heathrow Airport's controversial expansion ramps up.
16 January 2019
A new way to predict a woman's risk of breast cancer has been unveiled by scientists - and it's the most comprehensive method yet.
15 January 2019
NHS commissioners could be slapped with a £2,500 fine for every patient left waiting more than a year for vital care, new proposals suggest.
12 January 2019
All UK airports should buy anti-drone technology and not rely on the Royal Air Force to help out, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has said.
10 January 2019
The military was brought in on Tuesday night after police officers saw a drone operating at Heathrow Airport, forcing departures to be suspended for an hour.
11 January 2019
A so-called "drug sponge" that mops up leftover drugs from cancer treatment could improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy, new research has claimed.
09 January 2019
A hormone released during exercise could help protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests.
08 January 2019
Ryanair has been labelled the worst airline operating in the UK for the sixth year running in a leading consumer group survey.
05 January 2019
Anti-drone technology will be deployed at the UK's two busiest airports in response to the disruption caused before Christmas.
04 January 2019
A new cancer-detecting breathalyser test is being trialled in the UK - in a move that could revolutionise the way the disease is diagnosed.