Protect your festive season with a flu vaccine

Posted on:

  • The NHS has issued a ‘flu SOS’ with flu cases rising a month earlier than previous seasons
  • Flu cases are rising rapidly and some predictions point to this shaping up to be the worst flu season in a decade.
  • The flu vaccine helps protect those most vulnerable from developing serious illness and being hospitalised.
  • In winter more people are likely to become ill with flu as we spend more time indoors.
  • The flu vaccine takes two weeks to become fully effective so you need to come forwards now in order to be protected in time for the festive season.
  • Last year in England, flu caused around 8,000 deaths, while vaccination prevented an estimated 96,000 to 120,200 hospitalisations.

A recent vaccine effectiveness study by UKHSA shows that:

  • By getting this year’s flu vaccine, children are 75% less likely to end up in hospital with flu
  • It is important to get protected, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.
  • If you are vaccinated and catch flu this winter, you are likely to have milder symptoms and recover faster, cutting your risk of being hospitalised.

Those eligible includes those:

  • aged 65 and over
  • aged 6 months to 64 years old with certain long term health conditions
  • aged 2 and 3 year olds
  • school aged children (Reception to Year 11)
  • pregnant women
  • frontline health and social care workers
  • people who live in a care home
  • people who are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
  • people who live with someone who has a weakened immune system

Call to action

  • Don’t put it off, book your flu vaccine appointment today and arm yourself against the risk of severe illness over the festive period.
  • If you are eligible, you can book your vaccine via the NHS App, visit nhs.uk/BookFlu, call 119, or ask at a pharmacy.
Oxfordshire » Get Protected This Winter