Winter flu and COVID vaccine campaign launches in Lancashire and South Cumbria

The most at-risk residents of Lancashire and South Cumbria are able to get their winter flu and COVID-19 jabs from today.

With new variants circulating this year, vaccination teams across the region are working to protect those most at risk of getting seriously ill this winter by building immunity ahead of December and January, when hospitalisations for respiratory viruses typically rise.

The new campaign starts as data shows early signs of an increase in flu cases, and COVID-19 cases have been steadily increasing for weeks, with hospitalisations increasing by 60 per cent.

The increase follows the emergence of the XFG variant in May. UKHSA has also reported a 50 per cent increase in rhinovirus, which causes the common cold – likely driven by the return of schools after the summer break.

Vaccine teams across the region are working to make it as easy as possible for people to receive their vaccines – like hosting mobile vaccination buses to deliver vaccines closer to home, running family drop-in sessions in the community, and first the first time ever delivering flu vaccines to two- and three-year-olds in some community pharmacies.

Professor Jane Scattergood, chief nurse for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: “We are already seeing cases of flu and COVID rising, we have an opportunity to protect ourselves and our vulnerable relatives in the offer of safe, effective vaccines. We have every expectation is that this will be the busiest winter on record for A&E and other NHS services but prevention is much better than cure.

“It’s important that the most vulnerable people are kept safe and well , and the best defence against flu and COVID is to get vaccinated. Anyone eligible should come forward, you don’t need to wait for an invitation, we are trying to make it as easy as possible by offering vaccinations at your local GP, pharmacy, school or other community clinic, and parents will even be able to get flu vaccines, which are a nasal spray, for their two and three-year-olds at their high-street pharmacy.”

Flu vaccines are available for everyone aged 65 and over, under 65s in clinical risk groups, care home residents and carers, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, frontline health and social care workers, as well as children and pregnant women.

Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), COVID-19 vaccinations are available to adults aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents, and people who are immunosuppressed.

From today, booked appointments and walk-in sessions are now available across local pharmacies, GP practices and community clinic drop-in centres across the country and you can book an appointment via the NHS App, your local GP practice, online at www.nhs.uk/bookflu or www.nhs.uk/bookcovid, or by calling 119.

Full details on how to book, eligibility criteria and the locations of the roving vaccine van can be found at LSC Integrated Care Board :: Winter Vaccinations