Nottinghamshire health leaders urge people to get thinking about getting flu jab

NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG is urging the public to start thinking about the flu vaccine ahead of the winter season.
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The CCG is urging the public to have the vaccine for flu if they are eligible as it will reduce the risk of catching and spreading the virus over the winter months.

The vaccine is available free of charge on the NHS to anyone aged 65 or over, pregnant women, people with certain medical conditions, people living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay facility, people who receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill, people who live with someone who’s at risk of coronavirus (such as someone on the shielded list) who you expect to be with on most days over winter.

Later this year, the flu vaccine may also be given to 50-64 year olds.

People are being asked to start thinking about getting flu jabs to help ease winter pressure on the NHSPeople are being asked to start thinking about getting flu jabs to help ease winter pressure on the NHS
People are being asked to start thinking about getting flu jabs to help ease winter pressure on the NHS

The vaccine is also available for children aged over six months with a long-term health condition, children aged two or three on August 31, 2020, children in primary school and children in year seven in secondary school.

Dr Stephen Shortt, joint clinical leader at the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG, said: “It may seem early to be thinking about flu but the sooner we can get vaccinated, the more protected the population will be this winter.

"We particularly want to encourage over 65s, pregnant women, those with certain medical conditions, carers and those who have been shielding to get the vaccine.

"I would urge all people who fit into the key groups to think about being vaccinated this year, it could save lives and maintain key services.”

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