350% rise in flu cases sparks North East NHS call for people to get vaccinated
by Owen Younger · ChronicleLiveNorth East residents are being urged by the NHS to get vaccinated, in order to help protect their families this winter. The NHS is asking those eligible to make sure they’re protected from the risk of illness, in time for the festive period.
This comes after the NHS England Senior Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Joshua Gardner, received his flu jab this week. Joshua attended a community vaccination service in West Yorkshire, where he received his vaccination from nurse Jane Palmer.
"As we head into the festive season, it's more important than ever to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the risk of serious illness. Receiving my flu jab here in Leeds was a simple yet crucial step in safeguarding my health.
"With hospitals in England managing record flu levels and a 350% increase in hospital flu cases compared to this time last year, I urge everyone eligible to get their flu vaccine.
"The NHS has already administered over 27 million jabs for flu, Covid-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but we need more people to come forward. Let's ensure we stay healthy and enjoy a safe holiday season."
Hospitals in England are managing record flu levels for this time of year, with the latest figures showing an average of 1,099 people in hospital with flu every day last week, compared to 243 in the same week last year. The flu season peaks in December and January, and the vaccine provides vital protection during the busy winter months.
People have until the end of Thursday December 19 to book COVID-19 and flu vaccination appointments on the NHS online booking system here, the NHS App or the 119 phone service. It will still be possible to book vaccinations after locally after this date, but there will be fewer appointments.
All NHS frontline workers have been offered and are encouraged to receive the Covid-19 and flu vaccines. Those eligible for a flu vaccine this year also includes:
- 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.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director for NHS England, added: "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."
For further information please visit the NHS website here.
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