People in Lancashire and South Cumbria urged to book flu jab ahead of winter

The NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria is urging eligible people across the region to book their flu jab, as preparations for winter begin earlier than ever.

The national booking system has now opened, allowing eligible people, including pregnant women and children, to pre-book their flu vaccinations ahead of the programme starting on 1 September.

The NHS is taking action early to ease winter demand on healthcare services after back-to-back heatwaves have seen staff treat record numbers this summer.

Nationally A&E attendances hit a record 2.5 million attendances in July with emergency departments experiencing their three busiest months on record between May and July

Despite the record pressure, more patients were seen, treated or discharged within 4 hours than in June.

Flu can cause serious illness for children, pregnant women, older adults and people living with certain long-term health conditions. In some cases, it can lead to hospitalisation, severe respiratory complications and even death.

Last year, around 104,000 hospitalisations are estimated to have been avoided through flu vaccination, with nearly 19 million people receiving their flu jab across England.

The vaccine is usually administered as an injection, while most children will be offered a quick and painless nasal spray vaccine.

Across Lancashire and South Cumbria, local NHS services will soon begin sending invites to children and pregnant women, the first cohort of people eligible, via their GP practice, NHS app or letter.

Eligible people will be able to receive their vaccination at a range of convenient locations in their local community, including GP practices and participating high street pharmacies.

Additional eligible groups will begin receiving vaccinations from 1 October. These include people aged 65 and over, adults in clinical risk groups, care home residents, carers, people who are in close contact with immunocompromised individuals, and frontline health and care workers.

Dr Peter Gregory, associate medical director for primary care at NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board said:

“Winter is probably the furthest thing from people’s minds at the moment, but we are planning ahead earlier than ever in anticipation of an extremely busy period.

“We are encouraging everyone across who is eligible for a free flu vaccination to book at the earliest opportunity.

“The flu jab is a quick and effective way to protect yourself, your loved ones and those most vulnerable to serious illness, while also helping reduce pressure on our local NHS services during the busy winter months."

Further information about the flu vaccine is available on the NHS website.