People urged to have flu jab amid 'very real threat' of second Covid-19 wave
Health bosses in the region are urging people now “more than ever” to get flu jabs.
The programme has been expanded in case the coronavirus pandemic continues into winter.
New figures revealed flu jab rates were below target for those at risk in the Black Country last year.
Free flu immunisation is being offered to millions more this year, in a bid to ease pressure on healthcare services.
But Public Health England figures show just 42.4 per cent of “at risk” people in Wolverhampton had the vaccine between September and February – below the target of at least 55 per cent.
While in Sandwell, just 39 per cent of “at risk people” had the vaccine in the same time frame, while 47.6 per cent had it in Walsall. Around 48.5 per cent in Dudley classed as clinically “at risk” had the flu jab. And in Staffordshire, it was 44.7 per cent. The group includes those aged between six months and 64 years old with serious diseases, obesity and learning disabilities.
A free vaccine is also offered to people aged 65 or over. The uptake rate in Wolverhampton in this age bracket was 67.9 per cent, short of the 75 per cent minimum. It was 64.2 per cent in Sandwell, 70.9 per cent in Walsall, and 71.7 per cent in Dudley and Staffordshire.
Public health experts say achieving the new flu jab rates will be a major challenge after numbers receiving the immunisation were below target for “at risk” groups last winter.
This year, people should have the flu vaccine if they are 65 years old or over, pregnant, have certain medical conditions, living in a long-stay residential care home or care facility, receiving a carers allowance or you’re the main carer for an elderly or disabled person, or living with someone at a high risk of Covid-19.
It also includes a child over the age of six months with a long-term health condition, a child aged two or three years on August 31, a child in primary school, a child in year seven, frontline health and social care workers and 50 to 64 years old – towards the end of the year once other at risk groups have been vaccinated.
Health bosses have called for residents to protect themselves “as soon as possible”.
Sally Roberts, chief nurse for the Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “More than ever, I urge you to get the flu vaccination.”
Vital
“The flu vaccine is the best defence we have against what can be a serious and even deadly illness. It is therefore important to not just to protect yourself, but to protect your loved ones, those more vulnerable and the NHS from flu. If you are unsure, please talk to your GP for advice.
“Across the Black Country and West Birmingham we are working hard on our vaccination program plans and our GPs, nurses, community pharmacists and others will be going to great lengths this year to give this vital protection to many more people in a safe and convenient way.
“So when the time comes I would urge everyone invited for a flu vaccination to get it as soon as possible.”
Dr Paddy Hannigan, GP and chairman of Stafford and Surrounds CCG, added: “Flu can be a horrible virus with serious complications for those who have a pre-existing condition and we encourage all of those eligible for a free NHS vaccination to take it when invited over the coming months.
"This year more people that ever will be eligible and we are working across health and social care to make sure we are ready to immunise as many people as possible, while also maintaining social distancing.
“The vaccine is safe and we know that it does save lives, so if and when your GP or other medical professional invites you to attend a clinic for vaccination, please accept.”
Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said “the very real threat of a second wave” of the coronavirus makes this year’s flu programme more important than ever.
He added: “The additional number of patients and ongoing circulation of Covid-19 will be a major challenge for GPs and practices who will be delivering this year’s programme with social distancing measures in place.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman added: “We already have some of the best flu vaccine uptake rates in Europe, but this winter more than ever it is vital that everybody eligible gets their flu vaccine to protect themselves.”
