Warning to get flu jab amid 'real concern' as mum says 'don't risk it'
People are being urged to get their jabs ahead of winter as new data shows that at least 18,000 deaths over the past two winters - classed as October to May - were associated with flu. The UKHSA, Department for Health and Social Care and NHS have joined forces to launch the Get Winter Strong campaign.
They said that, while pandemic restrictions and social behaviours saw flu levels "fall dramatically for a few years", the latest mortality figures were "a stark reminder that flu is a deadly virus, particularly for older people and other groups at greatest risk". They said that "of real concern" was the drop in the flu vaccine uptake rates last winter across all eligibility groups in England compared with the previous year.
Launching the campaign, they said that, while uptake in older people last year remained high, only four in 10 (41%) people with long-term health conditions, just over four in 10 (44%) two and three year olds and just one in three pregnant women received the flu vaccine. They said evidence showed "the significant impact from last year’s flu vaccine with a 30% reduction in the number of those aged 65 and over being hospitalised and a 74% reduction in those between two and 17 years of age".
They said that, in the same two-year winter period, the estimated number of deaths associated with COVID-19 was just over 19,500. To help reduce the impact of winter viruses on those most at risk, as well as ease NHS winter pressures, the UKHSA - with Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England – is set to launch a scaled-up Get Winter Strong campaign on October 7.
The campaign will urge those eligible to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations when invited, ahead of winter, targeting those at greatest risk and for the first time will encourage pregnant women to also get their RSV and whooping cough vaccination. Last year saw a sudden increase in the number of people having to be hospitalised, due to a flu peak in the week leading up to Christmas and then again at the end of January.
Pregnant women and older people aged 75-79 are also eligible for a RSV vaccination for the first time this year, with the maternal vaccine providing strong protection for newborns in their first few months, when they are most at risk of severe illness from RSV.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA deputy director of immunisation, said: “As winter approaches we see many dangerous viruses circulating in our communities including flu, which can tragically kill thousands of people every year. Getting vaccinated ahead of winter is by far your best defence.
“If you’re pregnant or have certain long-term health conditions you are at greater risk of getting seriously ill. Older people and young infants with flu are also much more likely to get hospitalised.
“So if you or your child are offered the flu, COVID-19 or RSV vaccines, don’t delay in getting them. Please speak to your nurse or doctor if you have any concerns.”
Mum says 'don't take the risk'
Maryam Sheiakh, a mother from Manchester, has recounted the fear and anxiety she went through two years ago, when her then-four-year-old daughter, Saffy, spent more than a week at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital after being admitted with flu, suffering from a severe cough and high temperature. She was transferred to a High Dependency Unit as she was struggling to breathe and needed oxygen.
Maryam said: “I was seriously concerned we might lose Saffy. I honestly thought she might die from this. I was so distraught watching her struggling to breathe day after day, worried about her breathing difficulties and getting oxygen to the brain - would she be the same little girl before she got ill?”
Thanks to NHS staff, Saffy made a full recovery and now, aged six, is thriving. Maryam, a nursery teacher, is now urging all parents to vaccinate their children to ensure they have the best protection against flu.
She said: “Just go and get it, don’t take the risk. No parent wants to watch their child suffer like we did with Saffy.”
Who is eligible for flu, COVID and RSV vaccines and how to book
As of last week, millions of eligible people in England can now book their flu and COVID-19 vaccines through the NHS, with appointments starting from October 3. For their RSV jab, pregnant women and older adults should speak to their maternity service or GP practice to arrange, as the NHS rolls out additional protection for those most at risk ahead of winter.
Anyone eligible can book their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations via the NHS website, by downloading the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free if they can’t get online.
Based on the latest scientific evidence, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended the following be eligible:
adults aged 65 and over, residents in older adult care homes and those with long-term health conditions aged 6 months to 64 years will be eligible for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations
Pregnant women are also eligible for COVID-19 and flu vaccines
The flu vaccine is also offered to 2-and-3 year olds and school children
The Government has also decided that, as in previous years, the COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be offered to frontline health and social care staff, with staff in older adult care homes being offered the COVID-19 vaccine.
The RSV vaccine is recommended for:
Pregnant women – the vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy (from 28 weeks onwards) to help protect your baby after they're born
If you're aged 75 to 79 years
If you turned 80 on or after September 1, 2024, you're eligible for the RSV vaccine until August 31, 2025
Those who have already turned 80 before September 1, 2024, are not eligible. The RSV programme is offered to those most at risk when they need it. As we age our immune system does not work as well and that is why the RSV vaccine is not offered to those already 80 years of age or older.
Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said: “Today’s data showing there were almost 20,000 deaths associated to flu over the past two winters is a shocking reminder that this is a seriously dangerous virus and I urge those who are eligible to book their vaccine appointment as soon as they can as it is our best way of protecting those who are vulnerable as winter approaches.
“Thanks to the hard work of our NHS staff, life-saving flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines are being rolled out across the country in places that are as convenient as possible for people who need them. Flu and COVID-19 jab appointments are now available to book via the NHS website, the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free - making it as easy as possible for people to get vaccinated.”
Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, said: “I encourage everyone who is eligible to get their flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations as soon as possible. They are without doubt the best way to protect yourself from these viruses that can cause serious harm.”
Every year the World Health Organization recommends which strains should be included in the flu vaccine, with the UKHSA contributing to this work. Vaccines are then developed to help fight off the types of flu viruses expected to be circulating in the coming season. As the viruses can change every year, and protection from the vaccine reduces over time, it is important those eligible get a vaccine every year.
The Get Winter Strong campaign will run for 10 weeks and will appear on broadcast TV, on-demand and community TV, as well as radio channels, outdoor poster sites across England and on social media channels.