Stoke-on-Trent City Council is urging all residents eligible for a free flu vaccine and a COVID-19 booster to take up the offer.
Strategic Manager of Provider Services, Ian Clarke, says he is having his free flu vaccination and Covid booster this year to protect himself and the people he works with. He said: “This winter, it’s even more important to be protected so I will be having my flu and Covid booster in the next few weeks as its important to me, my family, the colleagues I work with and also the vulnerable adults we serve. Please take the opportunity to have yours.”
Care homes are also particularly vulnerable to flu and Covid and so staff and residents are encourage to take up the offer of a vaccine to make them as safe as possible for staff and residents.
From today (Friday 14 October), everyone aged 50 or over, frontline health and social care staff and people will health conditions that put them at higher risk is able to book their Covid booster or flu jab.
The flu vaccine is available free on the NHS to those who are:
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Aged 50+
- Have certain health conditions
- Are pregnant
- Are in long-stay residential care
- Are the main carer for an older or disabled person
A nasal spray version of the vaccine is offered to:
- Children aged two to three
- All primary school children
- Secondary school children in years seven, eight and nine
- Children aged six months to 17 years with long-term health conditions
Covid-19 is also still circulating and the autumn booster is being rolled out to those who are the most vulnerable. The booster is being offered to those who are:
- Aged 50 years and older
- Residents in care homes for older people
- Aged 5 years and over in a clinical risk group
- Front-line health and social care staff
- Who care for vulnerable individuals
- Families of individuals with weakened immune systems.
Cllr Lorraine Beardmore, cabinet member for culture, leisure and public health said: “We’ve all been very aware of Covid-19 over the last two years but it’s important not to forget that flu can also be a very serious illness. Flu can lead to serious complications if you have a long-term health condition.
Covid is also still with us so please continue to take care to protect those who are most vulnerable by taking up the offer of a booster if you are eligible. The fantastic roll-out of the Covid vaccine programme nationally, and here in Stoke-on-Trent, was an important contributor to the reduction in the number of deaths and hospitalisations from Covid.
“We want our residents to stay well over winter so if you’re eligible for the free flu jab or the Covid-19 autumn booster, it’s the best way to protect yourself and your family.
Find out more about flu vaccines and COVID-19 boosters at www.nhs.co.uk/wintervaccinations
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