Throughout 2021 it’s hardly surprising that all the emphasis has been on getting us vaccinated against COVID-19. That initiative is continuing apace – with children over 12 the next in line to be offered protection against the Coronavirus, along with ‘booster’ jabs for all adults aged 50 plus.
However, health professionals are warning that flu is also likely to be a big problem this winter, so now is the time for older and more vulnerable Ruddington residents to be thinking about that, too. According to modelling, the 2021 to 2022 influenza season in the UK could be up to 50% larger than typically seen – and it’s also possible that it will begin earlier than usual.
The NHS website states that:
- More people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the COVID-19 pandemic
- If you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you’re more likely to be seriously ill
- Getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses
- If you’ve had COVID-19, it’s safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu
Thankfully, unlike for COVID-19 vaccinations, this service is available right here in our village, and has already begun. Emma Anderson of Evans Pharmacy on Charles Street says:
“Evans are offering flu vaccines to over 50s and NHS risk groups at our pharmacy in Ruddington. There is no charge for this service. The NHS website has a list of people who are in priority groups. Monday to Friday there is a walk in service from 9:00-1:00pm and from 2:30pm until 5:00pm. There is no need to book during the week.”
Emma adds: “On Saturday we have selected time slots. Please email me at E.Anderson3@nhs.net with your name, date of birth, address and contact number to book a slot, or phone the pharmacy on Saturdays to check availability.”
The flu vaccine rollout will start soon at our two doctors’ surgeries, too.
A spokesperson for Village Health Group, which runs Church House Surgery, says: “We are in the midst of contacting our 65+ cohort of patients for the flu vaccine only, to attend on Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th of October. It is appointment based only, and can be booked online or when we contact them to book. We are still awaiting our delivery of vaccines but anticipate that we should have them by this time. We have not set up clinics for our Church House site just yet.”
Meantime, an announcement on the Ruddington Medical Centre (RMC) website reveals: “We have been advised that our adult flu vaccine deliveries will be delayed this year. We are now expecting our first delivery in early October and we have flu clinics available to book from 9th October. Our priority is patients aged 65 + and also those patients who have a long term health condition. We are expecting a second delivery of vaccines in mid-late October and we are reserving this for patients aged 50 – 64 who do not have a long term health condition.”
David Hardwick, Secretary of RMC’s Patient Participation Group, says the preference of the surgery is that its patients get their jab there: “Although the pharmacy may be more convenient, attending your GP practice ensures that any overdue checks can be highlighted, along with the offer of a shingles vaccination for patients in their 70s”.
We’re advised that the same NHS flu vaccines are used wherever you decided to get vaccinated. Because there are likely to be other vulnerable people being vaccinated, in whichever location we choose, we are being asked to continue to wear a face mask when we attend.
