With the countdown to Christmas now in full swing, an impressive two thirds of people aged 65 and over in Lincolnshire have come forward for their flu vaccination.
However, there is still time for anyone else eligible for a flu vaccination to get one before Christmas, and plenty of capacity, in terms of appointments, at GP practices and community pharmacies across the county.
Get protected before Christmas
“The thing to remember is that the flu vaccine usually takes two weeks to become fully effective. So, to get protected before Christmas, people really need to be having their flu vaccination in the next week,” explains Kerrie Linger, Assistant Locality Lead – Vaccination Programme Team, NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board.
As with the rest of the country, the NHS in Lincolnshire is continuing to strongly encourage people to get jabbed in line with the countrywide NHS vaccination drive.
“Flu can be a nasty illness, particularly if you’re not vaccinated. At this time of year, viruses including flu spread very easily indoors, so we’re particularly keen eligible people come forward as soon as possible for a flu vaccination,” comments Kerrie.
Book your flu vaccination today
“By getting your flu vaccination, you are not only protecting yourself but also those around you. It’s really easy to book in for your flu jab if you’re eligible. You can book an appointment now at your local pharmacy using the NHS App, you can get vaccinated at your GP practice, you can book online www.nhs.uk/bookflu or you can call 119”.
Eligible people include those aged 65 and over, those in clinical risk groups and close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, pregnant women, children, care home residents and carers, frontline social care workers, and health and social care staff.
Parents of younger children (2-3 year-olds – i.e. born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2023) can contact their GP surgery to book an appointment. Alternatively, participating community pharmacies are also offering the flu vaccination to 2-3 year-olds using a nasal spray and you can book online at http://www.nhs.uk/bookflu. You can also use the pharmacy finder to find walk-in appointments for your child.
Cases of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) are on the rise
Cases of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), another respiratory virus, that is a common cause of coughs and colds are on the rise.
“Adults aged over 75 years, babies under 6 months old and young children who were born prematurely are at risk from RSV. If you are 28 weeks pregnant or more, aged 75 to 79 or you turned 80 years old after 1 September 2024, you are eligible for and strongly encouraged to have an RSV vaccination,” adds Kerrie.
Pregnant women should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of their 28-week antenatal appointment. And people aged 75 to 79 (or turned 80 after 1 September 2024) should contact their GP surgery to book an RSV vaccination.