Infection expert urges winter vaccination
Published on 24/10/2022
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) has seen over 100 cases of flu diagnosed so far this autumn, with cases of flu ‘climbing quickly’ in England according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The UKHSA says hospital and critical care admissions for influenza, commonly known as flu, are rising the fastest in children under five years old, and hospital admissions are going up among older adults too.
The data has led UHB’s Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control, and Consultant Clinical Scientist, Dr Mark Garvey to issue a warning urging anyone eligible for a flu vaccination to get one, in addition to having the COVID-19 booster. At UHB on Saturday 22 October almost 400 inpatients had COVID-19, with 279 active cases.
With many southern hemisphere nations such as Australia having had their most active flu season in years, Dr Garvey’s caution comes in response to the national warnings to prepare for a bigger flu season, with worries about COVID-19 also ever present.
Dr Garvey said: “The data we have so far suggests the flu season has begun earlier than we would normally expect, and the worry is that many people may have little immunity to flu after a break from the disease during the restrictions of the pandemic.
“Following our region’s experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can allow no room for complacency when it comes to highly transmissible respiratory viruses. Therefore I encourage all eligible members of the public, and all of my colleagues within the NHS, to have the annual flu vaccination and the latest COVID-19 booster.
“Both vaccines help to maximise your immunity and help to keep you as well as possible while reducing the probability of very serious illness, hospitalisation or death.”
More than 40 million people, including young children, are being offered the flu vaccination, and for the over-50s and younger adults with health conditions a COVID-19 booster is also recommended, with hundreds of thousands eligible in Birmingham and Solihull.
Both vaccines are also available to all those employed at UHB and the wider NHS to help prevent people getting sick free of charge. Eligible groups include:
- People over 50 years old
- Pregnant women
- People with certain underlying chronic, long-term, or autoimmune health conditions
- Residents of care homes
- NHS and social care workers
The UKHSA has said that this year’s flu jab is a good match for the type of seasonal influenza that is circulating – while the COVID-19 booster contains protection against the latest Omicron strains of the COVID-19 virus.
Members of the public can find out more about flu and COVID-19 booster vaccinations online:
UHB staff can find out how and where to get the flu and COVID-19 booster where they work on the winter vaccinations website
