Health and wellbeing
Stay well this festive season with winter vaccines
Published on
With the festive season just around the corner, Walsall Council is encouraging residents to stay healthy and enjoy the holidays by getting their winter vaccines.
The call comes as the UK Health Security Agency reports a recent rise in flu cases, with flu positivity increasing to 17.1% from 11.6% the previous week. Additionally, hospital admissions due to flu have also gone up.
Eligible residents are being urged to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccines to ensure they are protected throughout the festive period and the rest of winter to reduce their risk of serious illness.
Those eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine have until Friday 20 December to book an appointment via the NHS website, the NHS App or by calling 119.
After this date, COVID-19 vaccinations will only be available at local pop-up clinics on a walk-in basis.
Flu vaccines will still be available after 20 December and people can continue to book appointments via the NHS website, GP or their local pharmacy.
People are eligible for a COVID-19 and flu vaccination if they are aged 65 or over, pregnant, aged 6 months to 64 years in clinical risk groups, live in a care home for older adults, or are a frontline health and social care worker. Children aged 2 to 3 years of age can also get a flu vaccine through their GP, and RSV vaccines are also available for pregnant women and people aged 75 to 79.
Advice is also being given to help residents take steps to reduce the spread of bugs and viruses such as Norovirus.
“ The festive season is a time for celebration, but it's also a time when we need to be extra vigilant about our health. I would urge eligible residents to get their winter vaccinations as soon as possible by booking an appointment or visiting a pop-up vaccination clinic where they live. “
“ Flu and other winter viruses can be very unpleasant and can also cause serious problems needing hospital treatment. We’re also seeing an increase in people going to hospital due to flu. Therefore, it’s important to protect yourself and your family from flu and other illnesses to reduce the risk of getting unwanted presents this festive season. If you’re eligible for any of the winter vaccines, please come forward as soon as possible.
We’re also seeing cases of Norovirus increasing. If you experience diarrhoea and vomiting, please avoid going to school, work, hospital, care homes or mixing with other people until you’ve been clear of symptoms for at least 48 hours. To help reduce the spread of bugs and viruses, regularly wash your hands with soap and water especially after going to the toilet and when preparing food, disinfect surfaces and clothes and bedding should be put on a hot wash. “
ENDS
Notes to editor:
- The UK Health Security Agency issued a press release on 12 December 2024 urging the public to get their winter vaccines amid recent rises in flu. Uptake data for the flu vaccine can be found on GOV.UK. National flu and COVID-19 surveillance data is also available on GOV.UK.
- To find out more about winter vaccines and where to get vaccinated, visit the NHS Black Country ICB website.
- Pop-up vaccination clinics offering COVID-19 and flu vaccines are taking place on the following dates this December:
- Wednesday 18 December 2024, 9am-3pm, Willenhall Market, Market Place, Willenhall, WV13 2AA
- Monday 23 December 2024, 9am-3pm, Tesco, Silver Street, Brownhills, WS8 6DZ
- As part of efforts to increase the uptake of winter vaccinations across the Black Country, the ICB have created a Black Country Christmas vaccination campaign to promote the importance of getting vaccinated and getting winter strong: Black Country Christmas vaccination campaign :: Black Country ICB
- Details about children’s flu vaccines are available on the NHS website: Children's flu vaccine - NHS.
- School-aged children who have missed their flu vaccination at school can get their vaccine at a catch-up clinic: Catch-up clinics | Black Country
- For more advice on diarrhoea and vomiting, visit the NHS website.
- For more information about RSV vaccinations, visit the NHS website.
