NHS and Council leaders are coming together to ask people to ensure they get their flu jab this year in what will be the biggest vaccination campaign ever seen.
Each year the flu vaccination is available to help protect adults and children at risk from flu and its complications, but this year it’s going to be bigger than ever before as more people are eligible for the free vaccination. This year what may appear to be ‘ just flu’ can lead to long-term health complications.
Those who are in certain at risk categories, such as over 65 and under 65s with a long term condition, are more likely to be at risk of developing complications if they catch flu. By getting the vaccine this year, not only will you be protecting yourselves but your loved ones too this winter.
Dr Michele Legg, GP and chair of NHS Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
“This year will be the biggest flu vaccination campaign that we have embarked on yet.
“We will be vaccinating more people than ever as we have expanded the groups of people eligible for the free flu jab. The flu vaccine may be given to 50-64 year olds; more information will be available later in autumn.
“Because we know we still have coronavirus in our community, some practices and pharmacies might be carrying out their vaccination clinics differently this year. This could involve booked appointments, vaccinations in car parks or community buildings and separate clinic groups for our ‘at risk’ patients.
“You may also see staff wearing face masks and lots more handwashing and use of hand sanitiser. Please feel assured these measures are in place to help keep you and our staff as safe as possible.
Article continues below this advertisement “We know some people will be feeling anxious, worried or scared about having their vaccination, however it is far better to be protected from flu, than go without.”
This year, the NHS is aiming to vaccinate around 4.5 million people in the South East – up from 2.6 million last winter.
This year the programme includes, children in school Year 7, and household contacts and carers of those on the NHS Shielded Patient List, are all eligible for the free vaccination. These groups are in addition to people aged over 65, those under 65 with long-term health conditions, pregnant women, children aged two and three and children in primary school.
Alice Webster, Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s director of nursing, midwifery, allied health professionals and community services, said:
“Flu can be very serious and lead to hospital admissions for patients with underlying health conditions and we want to try and keep people well and out of hospital this winter.
“Vaccination not only helps to keep you safe and well at home, it can also reduce the pressure on hospitals and staff in the health and care system.
“Next week we will begin our staff vaccination programme to ensure NHS colleagues are protecting themselves and everyone they have contact with from the risk of spreading flu.”
Along with NHS staff, health and care workers across the community will also be offered a free flu jab.
Simon Bryant, the council’s director of public health, said:
“This year with both the flu virus and Covid-19 circulating, flu immunisation is more important than ever to reduce infections, protect each other and save lives.
“There is an expanded list of priority groups this year which includes expanding the vaccine for children in the first year of secondary school. We are working closely with our schools to support this programme and ask all parents to look out for the invitation.
“We want to you to look after yourself and protect the NHS by having the flu jab.”
Flu is a highly infectious disease that is spread from person to person and infects the respiratory system, where it can lead to pneumonia and other complications. The flu viruses are constantly changing and this is one of the main reasons why people should be vaccinated annually.
The symptoms, that come on very quickly, include fever, chills, headaches, aches and pains in the joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness.
If you have a high temperature, new, continuous cough or a loss of taste and smell, then do not visit your GP practice or pharmacy. Self-isolate and contact 119 or visit NHS.uk/coronavirus to book a coronavirus test.
If you test positive for coronavirus then do not attend a flu clinic – contact them to rearrange your appointment.
Perhaps advice can be given as to how to persuade the GP surgeries to answer the phone! My own surgery even wants you to phone them to tell them that you don’t wish to have the jab! Well that will clog up the system good and proper. Madness
No problem in Cowes – there aren’t any doses to be had so no need to waste hours trying to ring surgery or pharmacy.
And what makes you say that?
Love to get one at my GP but unless I dig a tunnel there is no way I can get into my Doctors. Happy to give my own pity I can’t buy one over the counter
Try your nearest pharmacy to your GP’s medical centre. Mine was walk in for my wife and myself (yes a small queue) Phone call or visit will get advice.
And it begins
What begins?
People who are over 65yrs or anyone with an underlying health condition should receive a NHS letter inviting them to have the flu jab. Anyone else outside these criteria, if you can, find somewhere that has the vaccine, I would strongly advise you have the jab. It does not give you the flu, contrary to some people’s belief.
Gp surgeries are bloody useless .not just for flue jab.iv health issue so past 3 years its been easy at boots n gibbs & gurnell.im under 50 and its a different batch of jab they yse appar and there are some shortages.
I booked online with boots for next month and having ms im guessing ill still get some available stock.
Keep trying in it .
Hopefully it wont be cancelled when i turn up too get ,will be a huge effort too go
Had my jab at Boots on thursday, Efficient as always. Sent me a text when i booked it and a reminder 2 days before the appointment. The Pharmacist who administered the jab asked me all of the required check questions and was a pleasure to meet.
My GP surgery has the most tedious and time wasting phone system i have ever encountered hence i gave up trying to contact them. The last time i went for a flu jab at the GP surgery i felt like my arm was being used as a dart board and i was not even asked if i was allergic to eggs.
Got my jab booked at Binstead Community Centre so we don’t have to go to the doctors. It’s next door to a primary school! Where all the covid is! Doh! Going in fully masked up. Covid or the flu could kill me. :/