Health and wellbeing
Walsall residents urged to boost their immunity ahead of festive season
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With COVID and flu circulating this winter, it is vital for eligible residents to get both vaccines as soon as possible.
With the dark nights here and the temperatures dropping, Walsall residents are being urged to get both their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to boost their immunity ahead of mixing with friends and family before the festive season.
With COVID and flu circulating this winter, it is also vital for eligible residents to get both vaccines as soon as possible. Protection from the COVID-19 vaccine fades over time, which is why many people are being offered another booster dose.
The flu virus changes every year, which is why there is a new vaccination each winter. Even if you had a flu vaccination last year, you still need this year’s to protect you from the circulating strain.
“ It is more important than ever to boost your immunity against flu and COVID-19. These viruses could make you seriously unwell if not fully vaccinated.
Vaccines are your best protection. If you are aged 50 or over, pregnant, a frontline health and social care worker or living with certain health conditions, I urge you to come forward as soon as possible for both your flu and COVID booster vaccines.
Many school children and 2 and 3-year-olds are also eligible for a free flu nasal spray vaccine.
You can book your free flu vaccination by contacting your GP, local pharmacy or midwife. COVID vaccinations can be booked online via the National Booking Service or by calling 119. You can also visit a variety of vaccination sites without an appointment.
Some sites may offer both the flu and COVID-19 vaccine together and it is safe to have these at the same time.
It is also never too late to get your 1st or 2nd dose of the COVID vaccine and I urge residents to come forward for these as well. “
“ The flu season is officially underway. The latest data for Walsall shows the number of flu cases are starting to increase, which could lead to a difficult winter.
Having both the COVID-19 and the flu vaccinations is important as we are seeing both viruses circulating at the same time. They are the best way to avoid contracting, spreading and falling seriously ill with these illnesses.
It’s also vital that we all remain cautious as we head into winter when people tend to mix more indoors and the risk of spreading winter illnesses increases. If you are feeling unwell, avoid contact with elderly people or those with underlying health conditions. “
ENDS
Notes to editor:
- The Department for Health and Social Care has announced that flu cases have risen to levels not seen before COVID-19 pandemic, with all eligible people now urged to come forward. The full press release can be found on GOV.UK: Eligible people urged to get vaccinated as flu season officially under way - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Vaccinations for children - All primary school and some secondary school children are eligible for the flu nasal spray this year, which is usually given at school. GP surgeries are also inviting children aged two and three years old (age on 31 August) for their nasal spray vaccination at their practices. NHS Black Country ICB has useful information on their website about the flu nasal spray vaccine: Flu nasal spray for children :: Black Country ICB. Children who are home-schooled or not in mainstream education (same ages as those offered in eligible groups at school) should contact their GP.
- Further information about the COVID and flu vaccination and how to book is on the Walsall Council website.
- Walsall residents can search for their nearest COVID-19 walk-in vaccination site on the NHS website: https://bit.ly/GrabAJab-Walsall
- The NHS lists all the pharmacies offering the flu vaccination on their website: Find a pharmacy that offers the NHS flu vaccine - Places that match 'walsall' - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
