Health chiefs are reminding residents in Gedling borough at risk of complications from flu that now is the time to plan ahead and organise getting their free flu jab.
This year, health and social care priorities across the county are to improve the uptake of the free nasal spray vaccination for two-and-three-year olds, free flu jabs for pregnant women, over 65s and patients in clinical risk groups.
The flu jab is also being offered to all frontline social care staff who are directly employed by the County Council.
The uptake of the flu vaccination last year for pregnant women and toddlers aged two and three across Nottinghamshire was less than 50%, the national ambition for this year is to achieve an uptake of at least 55%.
For the over 65s, last Autumn/Winter the uptake in Nottinghamshire was over 70%, the national ambition for 2019/20 is 75%.
Nottinghamshire County Council’s Chairman of Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee, Councillor Tony Harper said: “Flu can kill so it’s important to make sure you are vaccinated. Some people are more at risk than others and it can be extremely dangerous for them to contract flu.
“Vaccination is the best protection we have against flu and it’s important that you get vaccinated each year as the flu virus is constantly changing.”
If there is an increase in uptake from those most at risk this in turn helps to reduce serious health consequences and hospitalisation amongst these groups as well as GP appointments and pressure on A&E.
Anyone who falls outside the at-risk groups can get the flu jab from high street chemists and most of the leading supermarkets at varying costs. If you fall into an at-risk category, you can get the flu jab for free on the NHS from your local GP or pharmacy.
