Chief Nurse Issues Urgent Flu Jab Appeal
England’s Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) has made an urgent appeal for everyone eligible to book their flu vaccination appointments as soon as possible before the peak of the flu season.
This call follows concerns raised by Duncan Burton about an unusually early start to the flu season this year, with high rates of infection especially among children and young people.
Flu Vaccination Availability and Eligibility
The NHS England announced that 2.4 million additional vaccination slots will be available next week to meet demand. Flu vaccines are offered to:
- People aged 65 and over
- Under-65s in clinical risk groups
- Care home residents and their carers
- Pregnant women
- Close contacts of immunosuppressed individuals
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Children
Progress of Vaccination Campaign
Weekly NHS data shows that over 13 million flu vaccine doses have been administered since the vaccine rollout began in September. Protection coverage among care home residents has reached nearly 60%.
"This year’s flu season saw an unusually early start with record-high rates among children and young people." – Duncan Burton
Related Information
In related health trends, vaping has recently overtaken smoking in Britain for the first time.
Author’s Summary
The Chief Nursing Officer stresses the urgency for eligible people to get flu vaccines quickly amid an early and severe flu season impacting children and vulnerable groups.