Public flu campaign – all eligible people urged to take up jab offer

Published: 24 September 2020

Record numbers of people offered flu vaccine as new research reveals those infected with flu and COVID-19 were more likely to die.

People in the South West are encouraged to get their flu vaccine as new Public Health England (PHE) research suggests that people infected with both viruses between January and April were more at risk of severe illness and death.

• 30 million people will be offered the free flu vaccine this year, the highest number ever.
• Scaled-up marketing campaign across TV, radio and digital advertising will reinforce the seriousness of flu.

One of the region’s senior medics Dr Julie Yates, lead Consultant for Screening and Immunisation at Public Health England South West, is calling on all eligible people to get vaccinated against flu.

She said: “People might think that flu is just a cough or cold, but actually this serious illness can have devastating effects on people, including causing death in some cases.

“COVID-19 is still circulating and we expect co-circulation with flu this season. This winter, more than ever, it is important to minimise the number of people becoming unwell with flu and for people to have the flu vaccination if offered.

“More people than ever are eligible for the flu vaccination this year and I would encourage anyone invited to attend their appointment.”

The advice comes as new research from Public Health England (PHE) suggests that the risk of death more than doubled for people who tested positive for both flu and COVID-19, compared to those with COVID-19 alone[1].

The research, looking at cases between January and April this year, also found that those with co-infection of the two viruses were more at risk of severe illness. Most cases of co-infection were in older people and more than half of them died.

Flu is a serious condition that kills on average 11,000 people in England each year and hospitalises many more. Adults at high risk from flu are also most at risk from COVID-19 and the free vaccine is more important than ever, to help protect the nation from a double threat this winter.

This year, the programme is being expanded to help protect people from flu and ease pressure on the NHS and urgent care services.

The health system is working to provide the free flu vaccine to 30 million people, the highest number on record:

• All primary school children and, for the first time, Year 7 (age 11 to 12) children will be offered the flu ‘nasal spray’ in schools to reduce community transmission. Two and three-year olds will be offered the vaccine through their GP.
• The most vulnerable, including adults aged 65 and over, those with long-term health conditions and pregnant women, will be offered the flu vaccine first through their GP or pharmacy.
• The flu vaccine will also be offered to household contacts of people on the NHS Shielded Patient List and all health and all social care workers who have direct contact with the people they care for.
• Once uptake has been maximised in the most at-risk groups, the newly eligible 50-64-year olds will be invited for vaccination later in the season. Anyone who is 50-64 years old with long-term health condition should be vaccinated earlier in the season, in line with all others in risk groups.

As part of England’s biggest ever flu campaign – alongside adverts across the media and posters in key locations such as GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals – eligible people will receive additional direct reminders prompting them to book their appointment, supporting the hard work of local GP practices and pharmacies in driving uptake among their registered eligible patients.

To help increase uptake in the social care sector, for the first-time pharmacists will be able to vaccinate both residents and care home staff at the same time.

Employers of frontline health and social care workers also have a responsibility to ensure their staff can get the free vaccine. A record number of NHS staff – three quarters of a million (74.3%) of frontline healthcare workers – took up their workplace vaccination last year across the country.

Overall nearly two thirds of eligible people received their free vaccine last year, making uptake rates in England among the highest in Europe.

Last year the vaccine uptake rates in the South West were:

• 73.8 per cent for those aged over 65
• 46 per cent for at-risk groups
• 44.4 per cent for pregnant women
• 63.1 per cent for 4 to 11-year-olds and
• 53.4 per cent for 2 to 3-year-olds

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said: “This year more than ever, it’s vital that those eligible for the flu jab get it this winter so you can protect yourself, your family and the NHS. We’re pulling out all the stops to prepare for this uniquely challenging winter and we have enough vaccines for 30 million people this year, more than we’ve ever done before.

“With the simultaneous risk of flu and COVID-19, make sure you get your flu jab if you’re eligible, don’t gather in groups larger than 6 and remember ‘Hands Face Space’ so we can look after each other.”

The unprecedented vaccine drive will be supported by a scaled-up marketing campaign across TV, radio and digital advertising. The ‘Just’ The Flu campaign, launching in early October, will reinforce the seriousness of flu, urge people to re-evaluate their own risk to the virus and remind people that vaccination is the best protection for themselves and those around them.