NHS Medical Director urges people in South West to protect themselves from FLU in time for Christmas

Posted on December 16th, 2024

IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FLU VACCINE THIS YEAR AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT, BOOK WITH US NOW!

The NHS in the South West is urging people to come forward for their flu vaccination without delay so they and their families are protected in time for Christmas.

Hospitals in England are managing record flu levels for this time of year as fears of a potential ‘quad-demic’ continue to rise, with a 350 per cent increase in hospital flu cases compared to the same week last year, and all regions including the South West are affected.

Latest figures show the NHS is going into winter under more pressure than ever before with an average of 1,099 people in hospital with flu every day last week compared to 243 in the same week last year – the highest number of cases heading into winter for at least three years.

Cases of flu are the highest in children aged between five and 14, according to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data, so parents in particular are being urged to get their children vaccinated if they have not already done so. But we would encourage everyone who is eligible for a flu jab to take the opportunity to protect themselves in the run up to Christmas family gatherings.

It normally takes about two weeks following a flu jab to offer maximum protection, meaning those who want to be protected for Christmas Day get togethers will need to be jabbed this week. But it is never too late to get jabbed and people have until the end of 19 December to book COVID-19 and flu vaccination appointments on the NHS online booking system, NHS App and 119 phone service. More than 27 million jabs have already been carried out for flu, COVID and RSV in England, and we urge everyone eligible to come forward.