Council Urges Residents to get Their Free Winter Flu Vaccine

Reading Borough Council is today (16th Oct) urging eligible adults to better protect themselves from flu and COVID-19 this winter by booking their free vaccines.

Flu season begins in October but respiratory viruses, such as flu, usually reach their peak over the festive and new year period. Receiving the flu and COVID-19 vaccine will help avoid winter illnesses which could cause people to miss out on any festive celebrations with family and friends.

Flu and COVID-19 spread more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors and can cause serious illness. Receiving the vaccines also helps to protect the NHS by minimising winter pressures caused by severed illnesses.

Nearly half (47%) of eligible adults received their vaccine last year and this year the aim is to ensure all the most vulnerable residents are protected from flu and COVID-19. This is mostly important during the colder months when more people gather indoors and ventilation is reduced.

Eligible adults are those at risk of getting seriously ill and include:

• everyone aged 65 and above
• people with certain long term health conditions
• pregnant women, care home residents
• frontline health and care staff who have direct contact with patients

Lead Councillor for Public Health and Education, Ruth McEwan, said:

“The flu and COVID-19 vaccines play such an important role in ensuring we keep the Reading community strong in the face of winter.

 Not only will they protect yourself and your family and friends, but they will also help minimise pressures on our wonderful NHS staff and hospitals which tends to see a huge spike during this period. I urge all eligible residents not to put it off, book your appointment today and arm yourself against the risk of severe illness.”

Whilst people may have had these vaccines before, it is important to receive the annual top up because immunity fades over time and the viruses change and new vaccines are produced to fight the new strains of flu and COVID-19.

On very rare occasions, people who are vaccinated may catch a different strain of flu or COVID-19. The vaccines will still offer some protection by making symptoms milder and recovery faster, cutting your risk of being hospitalised.

People are being encouraged to get both vaccines in the same appointment where possible, to get protected against both viruses in just a few minutes. If this is not possible, it is better to get each vaccine as soon as you can rather than waiting.

For those who are eligible, booking is available via the NHS App, or online at www.nhs.uk/bookflu and www.nhs.uk/bookcovid.

Alternatively, for those who can’t get online they can call 119 or ask their GP practice or pharmacy that offers vaccination when booking an appointment. Appointments will be available between 3 October until 20 December.

To find a pharmacy offering flu vaccines at www.nhs.uk/flu-pharmacy (18+ only).

To find your nearest COVID-19 vaccination walk-in site at www.nhs.uk/covid-walk-in – –appointments are not needed however individuals must check which age groups they offer vaccinations to before attending.

Press Office Contact: Chloe Reynolds 07803 408757