NHS doctors across London urge those eligible to get their Covid-19 and flu vaccinations and help reduce the impact of winter viruses on the capital
From today (3 October), people at risk across London will start receiving their winter vaccinations, providing vital protection from developing serious illnesses and ending up in hospital during busy winter months.
People who are aged 65 and over, pregnant, or have underlying health conditions, are eligible for flu and Covid-19 vaccinations – so too are those working in frontline health or social care.
London GP and NHS London Clinical Advisor, Dr Tehseen Khan said: “The flu and Covid-19 vaccines can be life-saving and are our best defence against these viruses.
The injectable flu and Covid-19 vaccines do not contain porcine (pork) derived products, and it takes just a few minutes to book online or via the NHS App or 119, where an interpreter is available if needed.
So, I urge everyone eligible to do so, to protect themselves and people around them.”
London GP and Senior Clinical Advisor, NHS London Vaccination Programme, Dr Oge Ilozue said: “I have seen first-hand the effect of not being vaccinated, with families losing loved ones or spending weeks visiting them in hospital as they are seriously ill. So, it makes sense to prevent illness in the first place.
I encourage anyone with questions to speak to a trusted healthcare professional. This can be their GP, pharmacist, health visitor or midwife, all of whom can provide evidence-based information.”
For more information go to nhs.uk/wintervaccinations
In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, those eligible this year include:
For a flu vaccine:
those aged 65 years and over
those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book)
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.
Those eligible for a winter COVID-19 vaccination are:
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, as defined in the Green Book, including pregnant women
frontline health and social care workers and staff in care homes for older adults
