Pregnant women and thousands of children across the Isle of Wight are being encouraged to get protected against flu as the NHS launches its winter vaccination programme.
From the start of September, flu vaccinations are available to pregnant women, all children aged 2 and 3 and those of primary and secondary school age.
The NHS is starting the rollout now in a bid to build protection before flu begins circulating more widely and cases typically peak during December and January.
Eligible families will be contacted by their GP practice, through the NHS App or by letter.
For school-aged children, vaccinations will largely be delivered through school immunisation teams. Parents and carers are being urged to keep an eye out for consent forms as youngsters return to school following the summer holidays.
Dr Charlotte Hutchings, GP and Clinical Lead for Vaccinations for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said:
“Although we’re enjoying what is left of the summer and have had a long, hot few months, winter will be here before we know it. Now is the time for eligible pregnant women and families to book in for their flu vaccination.
“Flu can be much more than an unpleasant winter illness, particularly for pregnant women and young children. The vaccine is a simple and effective way to help protect against serious illness and reduce the risk of needing hospital care.
Article continues below this advertisement “School-aged children will be largely vaccinated through the school immunisation programme – so I urge parents and carers to look out for the consent forms in the coming weeks as children head back to school.”
Pregnant women will usually receive the vaccination by injection through maternity services or their GP, while pre-school children are generally given the vaccine as a nasal spray.
Participating community pharmacies will also offer flu vaccinations on a walk-in basis, with pharmacies set to begin offering the nasal spray to eligible pre-school children from next month.
The programme will widen from 1st October, when flu vaccinations will become available to people aged 65 and over, adults in clinical risk groups, care home residents, carers, close contacts of immunocompromised people and frontline healthcare workers.
The autumn COVID-19 vaccination programme will begin at the same time, with those eligible including people aged 75 and over, care home residents and people who are immunosuppressed.
Health chiefs say vaccination against flu and COVID-19 can reduce the risk of serious illness and hospitalisation, while helping to ease pressure on NHS services during the winter.
More information about flu vaccine eligibility can be found on the NHS website. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Vaccination Helpline is also available on 0300 561 0018 between 09:00 and 16:00, Monday to Friday.
