Christmas Day flu jabs offered as cases rise
NHSHealth professionals are urging those eligible for a a flu jab to get one, as cases are rising among children and young people.
Dr Catherine Monaghan, a respiratory consultant and medical director for the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said urgent action is needed to protect those most at risk.
Flu jabs will be available on Christmas Day at Whelan Chemist, on John Street in Workington, in a bid to reduce the risk of passing on the virus to family members over the festive period.
Dr Monaghan said: "Older people and young children are more likely to become very seriously ill if they catch flu or COVID-19."
She said: "We are extremely worried that flu has started to circulate five weeks earlier than usual.
"What we are seeing in the North East and Cumbria, across the board, is more people coming to hospital with flu.
"The people who are becoming most unwell are those more elderly, those 85 and over."
She said the spread of the virus over the Christmas period was a concern as children mix with more family members.
"If unwell please do not visit family and friends," she said.
The flu vaccine is available to people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, adult care home residents, people with long-term health conditions, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, children aged two to three and school-aged children up to Year 11.
COVID-19 vaccinations are also available for over 75s, care home residents and people who are immunosuppressed.
"Every year we see too many people in hospital and far too many deaths that could have been prevented," Dr Monaghan said.
"The vaccine is our best defence."
Whelan Chemist pharmacist Sridhar Maturi said of the Christmas Day service: "We feel it is a great opportunity to serve the local community in this festive period.
"It's never too late to get vaccinated, there is always a risk of passing it on to family members if we do not get protected."
