Damian Hinds MP: Getting your flu jab could save a life
As the colder months arrive, posters are appearing in GP surgeries and pharmacies encouraging people to get their flu jab. Each year, the NHS leads a major campaign urging the public to protect themselves against seasonal flu and, more recently, Covid-19.
These illnesses can cause serious complications and hospitalisations, increasing pressure on NHS services that are already stretched during winter.
Vaccination Rates in Hampshire
Hampshire's vaccination rates among older adults exceed the national average, with over 65% of those aged 65 and above receiving their flu vaccine. However, uptake among younger children remains below expectations.
- Just under 60% of children aged two to three in Hampshire have received their flu vaccine, which is below the World Health Organization’s target of 75%.
- Children under five have some of the highest flu-related hospital admission rates.
Since early October, parents can have their two- and three-year-old children vaccinated at community pharmacies, a step that may help increase coverage this year.
Importance of Vaccination
Vaccination is one of modern medicine’s most significant public health achievements, saving lives daily and preventing the spread of infectious diseases worldwide. The UK has been a global leader in this domain.
“Measles, however, is a stark reminder that progress can be undone. Once considered eliminated in England, with no reported cases in 2018, the disease has since returned.”
By 2021, England lost its ‘measles elimination status’ due to outbreaks spreading across the country.
Summary
Protecting yourself and your family with flu vaccinations reduces serious health risks and supports the NHS during peak times.
Author’s summary
Flu vaccinations save lives, reduce hospital admissions, and are crucial to maintaining public health, especially among young children and vulnerable groups.