Chief Nurse Issues Urgent Flu Vaccination Appeal
England’s Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) has made an urgent call for those eligible to book their flu vaccination appointments before the peak of this year’s flu season.
Early Start to Flu Season Raises Concerns
The appeal follows warnings from Duncan Burton last week about an unusually early start to the flu season, with record-high infection rates particularly among children and young people.
Flu Vaccination Appointment Encouragement
With only weeks remaining before the flu season typically intensifies, the CNO urged eligible individuals to schedule their vaccinations promptly to protect themselves and others.
Availability and Eligibility for Flu Vaccines
NHS England announced the opening of 2.4 million vaccination appointments next week. The flu vaccine is accessible to:
- People aged 65 and over
- Under-65s in clinical risk groups
- Care home residents and carers
- Pregnant women
- Close contacts of immunosuppressed individuals
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Children
Vaccination Progress
According to NHS England weekly data, over 13 million flu vaccines have been administered nationwide since September. Additionally, nearly 60% of care home residents have received the vaccine, and 2.3 million eligible children have been vaccinated.
“This year’s flu season had an ‘unusually early’ start – with particular concerns around high record rates of flu among children and young people.” – Duncan Burton
These efforts aim to reduce the impact of flu during the coming months.
Author’s Summary
The Chief Nursing Officer urges eligible individuals to book flu vaccinations urgently amid an early, severe flu season marked by high infection rates among children and vulnerable groups.