Have you had your Winter Flu jab yet?

Date: Wednesday 25 November 2020
Author: Cllr Piers Allen
Title: Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Services Committee and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board

There has been a lot of talk in recent weeks about vaccines and their possible roll-out in the coming weeks and months. But there is one vaccine that is available now for many of our residents. This is, of course, the winter flu vaccine.

The flu vaccine is administered for FREE every year through the NHS to help protect eligible adults and children from flu. With COVID-19 still in circulation, it is even more important that those eligible get their flu vaccine.

• It is essential that the following groups receive their free flu vaccination as soon as possible:
• Adults aged 65 and over
• Those who have an underlying health condition (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or a chronic neurological disease)
• Pregnant women
• Children aged 2 to 3 years old
• All primary school children and those in year 7
• Household contacts of those on the NHS shielded patient list for COVID-19
• Those who are in receipt of a carer's allowance, or who are the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill
• Frontline health and social care workers
• 50-64 years old (from Tuesday 1 December)

Flu vaccination is important because:

• If you're at higher risk from coronavirus, you're also more at risk of problems from flu
• If you get flu and coronavirus at the same time, research shows you're more likely to suffer from serious health complications such as problems breathing on your own
• It'll help to reduce pressure on the NHS and social care staff who may be dealing with coronavirus
• If you or your child unknowingly spread the flu virus onto those most vulnerable to COVID-19 and flu (such as grandparents), they can fall seriously ill and may require hospitalisation

As we move into the winter months it is important to get your vaccine as quickly as possible before the flu starts to spread, usually beginning in December.

With an ever-increasing amount of misinformation circulating, especially online, some residents might be reluctant to get their vaccination. However, the flu vaccine is the only way to protect you and your loved ones from the flu this winter and it is completely safe.

Find out other myth busting facts about the flu vaccine.

I would encourage all those who are eligible for a flu vaccine to book theirs without delay to protect themselves, their loved ones, the most vulnerable in our community and our health workers this winter.

To book your flu vaccine, contact your pharmacist or GP first to check their stock availability.

Read why you may be asked to wait to be seen.

To arrange a flu vaccine for your child at school, make sure to sign and return the consent form to the school.

For more information:
• Flu vaccine (NHS)
• Flu jabs