Health and wellbeing
Eligible Walsall residents urged to come forward for flu vaccinations
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Walsall residents eligible for the flu vaccination are being urged not to delay getting vaccinated ahead of the busy, festive period.
Those eligible for the flu vaccine include people aged 65 and over, those that are pregnant, those with a long-term health condition, care home residents, frontline health and social care staff, unpaid carers and household contacts of people with a weakened immune system. People can get the flu vaccination by contacting their GP, pharmacy or visiting a pop-up vaccination clinic in their local area. Flu is a mild illness for most but can be very serious for some people.
In addition, children can get a flu vaccine through their GP practice if they are aged 2 and 3 years old, or if they have certain health conditions and are aged between 6 months and 17 years old.
School-aged children (from reception to Year 11) can also get the flu vaccine through their school vaccination programme. The vaccine is usually given through a nasal spray. A catch-up clinic will take place on Saturday 9 December from 9am to 1:30pm at Bentley Community Centre and Café for any children who have missed their vaccine at school.
For those who are pregnant, dedicated sessions offering chats and creative activities will be taking place at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s antenatal clinic at Walsall Manor Hospital on Friday 1 December and 15 December between 9am and 3pm.
“ With winter already underway and as we head towards the festive period, I urge any residents eligible for their flu vaccination to come forward as soon as possible.
Many people who are eligible for their flu vaccine are also able to get a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine. Let us not fool ourselves that these are just mild illnesses, as they can be very serious for some people.
Vaccination offers the best protection and can help you; your loved ones and the wider community stay well and get winter strong. “
ENDS
Notes to editor:
- School-aged children who have missed the flu vaccine at school can attend a catch-up clinic on Saturday 9 December from 9am to 1:30pm at Bentley Community Centre and Café. Call Vaccination UK on 01922 902035 to book an appointment or visit the Vaccination UK website for more details. Consent forms for school vaccinations can be completed via an online form. The vaccine is usually given through a nasal spray. However, a pork gelatine-free alternative is available as an injection if the nasal spray is not suitable.
- To find out more about the dedicated sessions taking place at Walsall Manor Hospital's antenatal clinic in December, contact the Antenatal Clinic on 01922 656577 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm)
- Following advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), those eligible for an autumn COVID-19 vaccine have until Friday 15 December to book an appointment. After this date, vaccinations will only be available at selected locations on a walk-in basis. These appointments can be booked via the National Booking System or by calling 119.
- To help people come forward, pop-up vaccination clinics have been set up across Walsall and the Black Country. For the latest pop-up vaccination clinic schedule, visit the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board website. In addition to the pop-up clinics, eligible people can book their autumn COVID-19 vaccine online via the National Booking System, or by calling 119. Calls to 119 are free from mobiles and landlines and the booking service provides support in 200 different languages.
- For more information on winter vaccinations, visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations
