NursingNotes
  • login
  • signup
  • Latest News
  • Clinical Updates
  • Professional
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
NursingNotes
No Result
View All Result

Home > News

Free flu jabs extended to those shielding, school children and over 50s

It comes as experts worry a combination of the seasonal flu and COVID-19 could overwhelm hospitals and have a devastating impact on communities.


24 July 2020
Flu Vaccine

Shutterstock

All front-line health and social care workers will also be urged to get their free vaccine.

The “most comprehensive flu vaccination programme in the UK’s history” has been announced by the government today.



Healthcare professionals across England will work to vaccinate more than 30 million people during this flu season – millions more than received it last year.

Several new groups will be eligible for the free flu vaccine including those shielding, school children up to Year 7, patients aged over 65, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing conditions including at-risk under 2s.

Once vaccination of the most ‘at-risk’ groups is well underway, the department will work with clinicians to decide when to open the programme to invite people aged 50-64 – the NHS will contact people directly, including information about where to go to get the vaccine.

All front-line health and social care workers will also be urged to get their free vaccine to protect themselves and their patients or residents from the flu.


It comes as experts worry a combination of the seasonal flu and COVID-19 could overwhelm hospitals and cause a rise in the number of deaths.

Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty said: “Flu can have serious consequences and vulnerable people can die of it. Having the vaccine protects you, and helps reduce transmission to others.

“This winter more than ever, with COVID-19 still circulating, we need to help reduce all avoidable risks. Vaccinating more people will help reduce flu transmission and stop people becoming ill.”

Dr Vanessa Saliba, Head of Flu at PHE added; “The flu vaccine is the best defence we have against what can be a serious and even deadly illness.


“This winter, more people than ever will be offered a free flu vaccine. We are urging anyone who is eligible to take up the offer of vaccination. By getting the jab, you can help protect yourself, your family and the NHS – it will help save lives.”



Popular

Close-up of rapid Covid-19 home lateral flow antigen test with positive result

Special paid leave for Covid sickness and isolation scrapped for NHS workers

1 July 2022

student nurse staff nurse

Student nurses ‘used and abused’ on placements

13 June 2022

Patient lying on bed while nurse writing on clipboard in hospital

Nurses told to stop ‘overworking’ by staying late without pay

27 June 2022

Insight

Busy A&E waiting room

‘The NHS is having its worst winter ever – and the reasons run much deeper than COVID’

28 January 2022

Hospital curtain intensive care

‘During the Downing Street Christmas Party we were caring for dying patients and forbidden from seeing family’

8 December 2021

Vaccine inPPE

‘Making vaccination compulsory for NHS frontline workers likely to make patients suffer’

19 November 2021


Related Posts

Healthcare worker wearing PPE
Workforce

Nurses appoint barrister to expose MPs failings in Covid inquiry

4 July 2022
Close-up the positive young nurse who is dialing medicine into the syringe indoors
Clinical

Hospitals reintroduce compulsory mask wearing for staff and patients

29 June 2022
London, England, UK, January 22nd 2022, Long covid symptoms sign on pharmacy shop window UK
Clinical

Tribunal rules long-Covid is a disability

21 June 2022
NursingNotes

© 2019 NursingNotes.co.uk

Navigate Site

  • Who are we?
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Agenda for Change Pay Scales

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • Clinical
  • Education
  • Health Politics
  • Opinion
  • Resources

© 2019 NursingNotes.co.uk