Thousands across Oxfordshire urged to receive winter vaccinations to avoid 'tripledemic'
The NHS hope vaccination campaigns will help avoid a “tripledemic” of RSV, Covid and Flu
Ahead of a busy winter, a General Practitioner (GP) is urging every eligible person across Oxfordshire, to make sure they get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines to protect themselves and the vulnerable people around them.
Flu and COVID season usually peaks in December and January, so starting adult vaccinations from October will ensure those most at risk are protected during the colder months, helping prevent serious illnesses and ending up in hospital.
This year, adults aged 65 and over, residents of care homes for older adults and those with underlying health conditions aged 6 months to 64 years, as well as frontline health and social care staff, are eligible for the flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
The school flu vaccination programme has already begun as it started when schools went back to help stop the virus spreading. Pregnant women and children aged between 2 and 3 years old have also been able to get their flu vaccine from the 1st September 2024.
However, from 3rd October, both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations will be available for residents in a care home for older adults, all adults aged 65 years and over, those aged 6 months to 64 years clinically at risk, and frontline health and care staff.
'The NHS is under significant pressure'
Adult flu and COVID-19 appointments will be available through local GP practices and pharmacies.
Dr Ed Capo-Bianco is a GP at Goring and Woodcote medical practice, he said: “The NHS is under significant pressure all year-round, but particularly during winter months.
“That’s when we see colder weather and respiratory illnesses so having the vaccine is a very sensible way of protecting yourself but also the wider NHS system as well.
For the first time ever, the NHS is also offering the RSV vaccine to pregnant women from 28 weeks.
Dr Capo-Bianco said: “The flu-vaccine will protect the mum and also the unborn baby that she will be able to pass antibodies.
“It’s a dual protector but predominantly it is used to protect the mum whilst she is pregnant from a significant respiratory illness.”
'It takes just a few minutes'
Rachael Corser, Chief Nursing Officer for Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, said: “The flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be lifesaving and are our best defences against these viruses.
“It takes just a few minutes to book online or via the NHS App or 119, so I would urge everyone eligible to do so, to protect themselves and those around them."
The NHS say, nasal flu vaccine is the most effective vaccine for children aged 2-17 years. However, they can contain traces of pork and if this is not suitable, the GP or practice nurse may be able to offer a flu vaccine injection as an alternative.
Health and social care workers are also eligible for the flu vaccine and encouraged to come forward as soon as they can to ensure they are protected when at work.
Eligible for a flu vaccine from 1st September 2024
• pregnant women
• all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31st August 2024
• primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
• secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
• all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years
From 3rd October 2024
• those aged 65 years and over
• those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
• those in long-stay residential care homes
• carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme, including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.
Eligible for COVID-19 vaccine from 3rd October this year include:
• residents in a care home for older adults
• all adults aged 65 years and over
• persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group
• frontline health and social care workers and staff in care homes for older adults