Published on: 20 December 2022
People are being urged to have their flu and Covid-19 jabs, as an increasing number of children and adults are being admitted to hospital in Herefordshire and Worcestershire with serious respiratory infections.
Dr Kathryn Cobain, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire said: “Respiratory viruses, including flu and Covid-19 are causing serious illness and hospitalisations in our area.
“Vaccination works and is the best defence against serious illness this winter. I’d like to urge anyone who is at higher risk of serious illness from Covid-19 and flu to protect themselves with a vaccination. There is plenty of flu vaccine available and it is a good match for the strain currently circulating in the community.”
Parents are being particularly encouraged to have their two- and three-year olds vaccinated when invited by their GP practice. The influenza vaccination for children is a quick and painless nasal spray that is safe and effective against the flu virus. Flu can be an unpleasant illness for children, but it can also lead to very serious complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Vaccination offers the best protection against this risk by enabling children to build immunity against flu.
Other people who are eligible include unpaid carers, people who have lower immunity because they are pregnant or have a long-term condition, people with a learning disability, frontline health and care staff and those aged over 50.
It’s easier than ever to get a booking for your vaccination, with a range of options available to suit you, including your local pharmacy - any adult who is eligible can find a nearby pharmacy offering the NHS flu vaccine and book online for Covid-19 vaccines.
