Oxfordshire GP urges people to get vaccinated for early flu wave
Dr Ed Capo-Bianco is advising people to get vaccinated against the flu to reduce pressure on the NHS and protect loved ones
With the flu season arriving a month early, NHS teams are increasing efforts on their vaccination campaign.
The flu, or influenza, is a contagious viral infection that can cause symptoms such as a fever, aches and shivers, a dry cough and headaches.
For many people, it is an illness that lasts around five to seven days, however for the elderly, children, pregnant women or people with long-term health conditions, it can be more serious.
GP at Goring and Woodcote Medical Practice, Ed Capo-Bianco, is urging people to get vaccinated against this year’s strain of the flu.
Dr Capo-Bianco said: “The flu vaccine is updated every year so it’s not like it’s a one shot and done, the virus mutates.”
He also said that the flu virus seems to have mutated quite significantly, which can impact immunity from previous years.
The flu vaccine helps prime immune systems to recognise the virus when it comes so that the severity and duration of the illness is reduced.
However, Dr Capo-Bianco believes that less people have been getting vaccinated since the pandemic.
He said: “I think we’re seeing a bit of vaccine fatigue among people.
“Lots of people got vaccines for COVID and the I think certainly in the last year or so we’re starting to notice people not coming forward for their vaccines.”
Dr Capo-Bianco also said that getting the vaccine can reduce pressure on the NHS and protect vulnerable friends and family: “The greater number of people having the vaccine reduces the spread of it, the severity and the duration of the illness so you’re much less likely to need healthcare input.”
“It’s for your own protection but, equally, you might consider it to protect your loved ones.”