More people urged to protect themselves against flu in the run-up to Christmas

Latest figures show that many eligible people in the South West have still not come forward to have a flu vaccination.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says that 64.8% of those aged 65 and over have taken up the offer of the vaccine in the South West, and only 31.7% of pregnant women and 32.3% of people with long-term health conditions have had it.

Latest figures also show that up to the end of October just 20.5% of healthcare workers in the region had received a flu vaccine.

UKHSA says that with Christmas just three weeks away, time is running out to get the vaccine ahead of the festive season.

People have until the end of Thursday 19th December to book Covid and flu vaccination appointments on the NHS online booking system, NHS App and 119 phone service.

It will still be possible to book vaccinations after 19th December through local NHS vaccination services, such as pharmacies or walk-in sites. However, there will be fewer Covid appointments, and you may need to travel further.

UKHSA data published last week on the school immunisation programme for September to October 2024 shows that almost 155,000 school children in the South West have boosted their protection against flu by taking up the vaccine, which for most children is given as a nasal spray vaccine.

During November many more children will have been vaccinated as the immunisation teams move from school to school for all children from Reception to Year 11.

There will be further opportunities at local NHS community clinics for children who have missed out on getting their flu vaccine at school.

For children in a clinical risk group who have missed out, it is possible to make an appointment at your GP surgery. Two and three-year-olds are also able to receive a flu vaccine from their local surgery.

Health chiefs says that when children take up the vaccination, it not only helps protect them but also importantly helps stop them spreading flu to others at greater risk in the family.

The latest weekly flu surveillance report also published last week shows flu numbers have increased nationally with the rates highest among children aged five to 14.

Pregnant women are eligible for a flu vaccine to protect them and their baby during pregnancy.. Latest figures show uptake among pregnant women in the South West this winter is currently at 31.7% and health chiefs strongly urge more to take up the offer.

While flu vaccine uptake among older people aged 65 and over is always much higher than for other groups (64.7% in the South West so far this year), there is “real concern” that many of those at greatest risk of serious illness and hospitalisation, people with long-term health conditions and/or who are immunosuppressed, have not taken up the offer of a free vaccine – with just 32.3% of people in these groups vaccinated in the South West.

For more information on winter vaccinations and winter health visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well/