01 November 2023 , 13:29
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Millions of people who still haven't had a flu or Covid vaccine are at risk of becoming seriously ill, health bosses have warned.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are urging Brits to "get winter strong" following expectations that flu and Covid-19 infections will rise this season. UKHSA has teamed up with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to encourage the most vulnerable to take up the offer.
It has been reported that 11.7million people in England have been given the flu jab, while 8.6million have received a Covid booster. However, there are still millions of eligible adults who haven't taken the injections, such as pregnant women, those with health conditions and kids aged 2 and 3.
Health bosses are urging vunerable people get vaccinated this winter (PA)Dr Mary Ramsay, of the UKHSA, said: “Nobody wants to miss out on the festive celebrations with their friends and family this winter and the vaccines provide the best protection. I urge all those eligible to join the millions of others who have taken up their free vaccine offer to get winter strong. Don't put it off, book your appointment today and arm yourself against the risk of severe illness.” The latest health campaign will be featured on TV, radio and billboards to encourage unvaccinated people to come forward. TV doctor Zoe Williams said: “My two-year-old recently had their flu nasal spray vaccination. It was quick and painless, and I’d strongly encourage other parents to take up the offer. Nobody wants to see their child getting unwell with what can be a nasty illness, especially with the winter festivities ahead.”
Steve Russell, of NHS England, said it takes "just a few minutes" to book vaccines online or through the NHS app. “Getting the flu and Covid vaccines are two of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from serious illness this winter," he said. If you're eligible, we'd urge you to get both vaccinations as soon as you can, to help protect yourself and your loved ones and get winter strong.” Bosses at the British Liver Trust, Diabetes UK, Kidney Care UK and the Sickle Cell Society have stressed the importance of getting ahead of the infections. They addressed that the groups are considered "high risk" and said the vaccines are "the best deference against severe illness."
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Fiona Loud, Policy Director at Kidney Care UK, added: "Covid-19 still poses risks to thousands of immunocompromised people who don’t have the same level of protection from the vaccines as the general public do. People with kidney disease are also vulnerable to flu complications. Evidence shows that Covid-19 protection increases with each booster dose so it’s really important that as many people as possible take up the offer of Covid-19 and flu vaccines."
Those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:
- Those aged 65 years and over
- Those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
- Pregnant women
- All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
- School-aged children (from Reception to Year 11)
- 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
Those eligible for an autumn covid vaccine are:
- Residents in a care home for older adults
- All adults aged 65 years and over
- Persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
- Persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers and staff working in care homes for older adults