The NHS is urging people to come forward for their flu
vaccination without delay so they and their families are
protected in time for Christmas.
UKHSA data shows flu cases are highest among those aged 5 to 14,
and the NHS is urging those eligible for a flu jab to make sure
they're protected in time for family get togethers over the
festive period.
It normally takes about two weeks following a flu jab to offer
maximum protection, meaning those who want to be protected for
Christmas day get togethers will need to be jabbed by Wednesday
11th December.
Hospitals in England are managing record flu levels for this time
of year as fears of a potential ‘quad-demic' continue to rise,
with a 350% increase in hospital flu cases compared to the same
week last year.
Latest figures show the NHS is going into winter under more
pressure than ever before with an average of 1,099 people in
hospital with flu every day last week compared to 243 in the same
week last year – the highest number of cases heading into winter
for at least three years.
More than 27 million jabs have already been carried out for flu,
COVID and RSV in England, but the NHS is urging more people to
come forward so they can protect themselves and their families
over Christmas.
It is never too late to get jabbed however, and people have until
the end of 19 December to book COVID-19 and flu vaccinationappointments
on the NHS online booking system, NHS App and 119 phone service.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director
for NHS England, said:
“Flu cases are skyrocketing so it's now or never for older people
and children to get themselves jabbed and protected ahead of any
family get-togethers they have planned over the festive period.
“Every Christmas we see far too many older adults and children
admitted to hospital because of flu, and the best way to avoid
this situation is getting your flu jab if you are eligible.
“The flu vaccine is our best defence against winter viruses, and
it also helps to reduce pressure on hospitals and hard-working
NHS staff who will be working flat out over the Christmas break.
“So I would urge anyone who's eligible to add booking their flu
jab to their list of things to do in the run up to Christmas so
they can protect themselves and their families this December.”
Flu season usually peaks in December and January and the vaccine
provides vital protection to prevent people from developing
serious illnesses and ending up in hospital during the busy
winter months.
It is usually given to children as a quick and painless spray up
the nose – without the need for an injection – unless your child
cannot have porcine gelatine in medical products, in which case
an injected flu vaccine is available as an alternative.
It is still possible to book your vaccinations after 19 December
through local NHS vaccination services, like pharmacies or
walk-in sites. However, there will be fewer COVID appointments,
and you may need to travel further.
In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and
Immunisation, those currently eligible for a flu vaccine this
year include:
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
- primary school aged children (from reception to year 6)
- secondary school aged children (from year 7 to year 11)
- all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to
less than 18 years
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
(as defined by the Green Book)
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers in receipt of carer's allowance, or those who are the
main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline workers in a social care setting without an
employer led occupational health scheme including those working
for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered
domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers
and those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or
personal health budgets, such as personal assistants
All NHS frontline health workers have also been offered the
COVID-19 and flu vaccines, and encouraged to protect themselves
and those they care for.
This month, for the first time ever, the NHS is also offering the
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine to pregnant women from
28 weeks and older adults aged 75 to 79. Pregnant women are
encouraged to book their vaccine via their maternity service or
GP practice and older adults should wait to be invited by the
NHS.
