The UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) is reminding all these eligible that it is not too late to ebook their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. Circumstances are anticipated to proceed to rise over the following few weeks following elevated journey and socializing that occurred over the festive interval.
These at better danger of great sickness from flu and COVID-19 ought to get vaccinated to scale back their probabilities of needing medical care or hospitalisation, decreasing strain on well being companies. Kids who take up the flu vaccine additionally assist to scale back unfold to weak family and friends, making certain communities throughout the UK make the healthiest begin to 2024.
For pregnant ladies, uptake for influenza and COVID-19 vaccines has decreased when in comparison with the identical time final season. Susceptible teams, together with pregnant ladies and people with long-term well being circumstances, are notably urged to get vaccinated as quickly as attainable.
As it might take a number of days to spice up your immunity after the flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, now’s the time to get vaccinated to start out the brand new 12 months in good well being. Temperatures are forecast to drop later in January, with extra mixing indoors rising the opportunity of additional rises in flu and COVID-19.
Eligible teams can ebook their vaccine by contacting their native GP surgical procedure or pharmacy to make an appointment. Vaccinations towards COVID-19 are being supplied till 31 January, whereas flu vaccinations can be found till 31 March.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Immunisation at UKHSA, mentioned:
Flu and COVID-19 ranges are on the rise, so get your vaccine now to just be sure you are winter robust. Pregnant ladies, their unborn infants and people in medical danger teams are at increased danger of issues and extreme sickness from flu. Taking on each the flu and COVID-19 vaccines gives the perfect safety for each pregnant ladies and their child. Vaccinated ladies have a decrease danger of stillbirth, prematurity and needing intensive care.
If you’re the father or mother of a kid aged 2 or 3 remember that also they are eligible for the flu vaccine and this may be booked by way of your GP – the nasal spray vaccine will assist forestall hospitalisations, cut back the unfold of flu in the neighborhood and keep away from you having to juggle a sick youngster with work and different commitments.
It isn’t too late to get your vaccines – eligible individuals can nonetheless converse to their GP, or alternatively a neighborhood pharmacist about getting their vaccination.
If you’re displaying signs of a respiratory sickness like flu or COVID-19, you may assist cut back the unfold of those infections by washing your fingers repeatedly and masking your mouth when coughing or sneezing, repeatedly cleansing ceaselessly touched surfaces, and avoiding mixing with others the place attainable, notably those that are extra weak.”
