Information from the MS Trust: 

This year, all UK nations are again running an expanded flu vaccination programme to encourage more people to have a flu jab and allow more people to have the flu jab for free. With Covid-19 still circulating in the community, a surge in seasonal influenza (flu) cases could overwhelm hospitals and other NHS services.

Flu can be a serious or even fatal illness, and each year causes thousands of people to become very ill. Like Covid-19, it is a viral infection that can be passed on through coughs and sneezes. If you have MS, you’re more at risk of becoming seriously ill from flu, even if you currently feel well.

By having the flu jab, you reduce your risk of having flu. If you do catch flu after having the vaccine, you are likely to have a milder illness. Having the flu jab also means you are less likely to have flu and Covid-19 at the same time, which could make you more unwell. It is best to have your flu vaccine early, so that you are protected before any outbreaks of flu. You need a new jab each year, as the strains of flu that are circulating change over time.

People with MS can have the flu jab for free every year. It is provided through pharmacies and GP surgeries, as well as workplaces and schools. You may be contacted by your surgery if you have been offered a flu jab in previous years.

You may be offered your flu jab at the same time as a Covid-19 vaccine booster dose. Research has shown that this is safe and that both the flu vaccine and the Covid-19 vaccine remain effective when given together.

Read more information here: https://mstrust.org.uk/news/views-and-comments/flu-season-2021  

The MS Society has launched a new campaign this week.

There are 1 in 6 people in the UK living with a neurological condition – yet NHS neurology services have been stretched, underfunded and overlooked for years. These services were neglected long before the pandemic – but now the situation is critical.

On Wednesday 6 October, the MS Society launched their new campaign, to tell the UK Government not to leave people with MS behind. 

Click here to sign the letter (opens the MS Society website)

Research by the MS Society has found people’s MS symptoms got worse during the pandemic, with over half of them (53%) saying this was caused by not getting specialist support. And, 63% of MS professionals find it very challenging to provide a good service to everyone.
 
We need urgent action to ensure everyone with MS has access to the right professionals and treatment at the right time across the UK.

We’re calling for more funding and support for the neurology workforce, so people can get the essential care they need. 

Source: MS Society Campaign Team, campaigns@mssociety.org.uk

Many people with MS are affected by visual symptoms. The main causes of impaired vision are conditions such as Optic Neuritis, Nystagmus and Diplopia, all of which affect the vision in different ways. A symptom unique to those affected by Optic Neuritis is known as Uhthoff’s Sign, whereby the vision is temporarily affected when the person’s body core temperature is elevated. MS-UK is putting information together for people with MS and are looking for feedback from anyone with first-hand experience.  MS-UK say ‘If you have, or still do, experience visual impairment due to your MS, we would like your feedback by answering the questions here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WQHT7JX.

Your input is valuable as we will share it with others who may benefit from your suggestions. We may use quotes from your feedback in our future Choices booklets, but these will be entirely anonymous.’

If you’ve been on the shielding list in England, you’ll get a letter soon from the NHS letting you know that the list won’t be used anymore.

Instead of everyone considered ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ being given the same advice, the UK government now recommends you get personal advice directly from your health care team.

Why is the shielding list ending in England?

The government says there are several reasons to stop using the shielding list:

• They won’t advise everyone on the list to shield again – partly because shielding affected some people’s physical and mental wellbeing
• There’s a lot more information now about what makes each person vulnerable to COVID-19
• Many people have been vaccinated
• There are now proven treatments for COVID-19

The government says it will still monitor the COVID-19 situation and, based on clinical advice, respond to keep the most vulnerable safe.

No one has been advised to shield since 1 April 2021. And since 19 July, everyone considered clinically extremely vulnerable has been advised to follow the same guidance as everyone else.

Managing your risk

If you or a loved one are considered clinically extremely vulnerable, you might want to read the MS Society information about making decisions around risk

Source: The MS Society (https://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/news/shielding-list-no-longer-us…)