Public health newsletter: Winter ready vaccines

Public Health Newsletter: September 2023

Flu Vaccination

Flu vaccination is important because flu isn't nice for most people, but for some it can be dangerous and even life threatening, especially if they have certain health conditions.

The best time to have your flu vaccine is in the autumn or early winter before flu starts spreading. 

This year the flu vaccine is being given free on the NHS to adults who:

• are 65 and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2024)
• have certain health conditions
• are pregnant
• are in long-stay residential care
• receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
• live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis

The jab is available from your GP surgery, certain pharmacies (if you're over 18), your midwife if you're pregnant or at a hospital appointment.

Several outreach clinics will also be provided across South Tyneside including the Melissa Bus. Check www.getyourjab.uk for more details.

The nasal spray flu vaccine is also being given free on the NHS to:

• children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023 (born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2021)
• all primary school children (Reception to Year 6)
• some secondary school aged children (Year 7 to Year 11)
• children aged 2 to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions

Flu vaccine for pregnant women

Some vaccines, such as the inactivated seasonal flu vaccine and the whooping cough vaccine, are recommended during pregnancy to protect the health of you and your baby. An inactivated vaccine does not contain a live version of the virus it is protecting against.

For more information on vaccinations in pregnancy visit The flu jab in pregnancy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

It's recommended that all pregnant women have the flu vaccine, whatever stage of pregnancy they're at. This is because there is evidence that pregnant women have a higher chance of developing complications if they get flu.

Women who have had the flu vaccine while pregnant also pass some protection on to their babies, which lasts for the first few months of their lives. It's also safe for women who are breastfeeding to have the vaccine.

Contact your midwife or GP surgery to find out where you can get the flu vaccine.

Flu vaccines for 2 to 3 year olds

The children's nasal spray flu vaccine is safe and effective. It's offered every year to children to help protect them against flu. Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children. It can also lead to serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Children under the age of 5 have the highest hospital admission rates for flu compared to other age groups.

Children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable to flu, such as babies and older people.

All children aged 2 and 3 years old (on 31 August before flu vaccinations start in the autumn) are eligible for a free flu vaccination in the form of a nasal spray. This is usually given at the GP practice.

This year vaccines for 2 to 3 year olds are also being given at outreach clinics at some of the borough's Family Hubs. Check with your local Family Hub for more details.

For more information on the nasal spray visit Child flu vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk).

Covid-19 vaccination

The following people will be a COVID-19 booster vaccine in Autumn 2023:

• Residents in a care home for older adults
• All adults aged 65 years and over
• People aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group
• Frontline health and social care workers
• People aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• People aged 16 to 64 years who are carers and staff working in care homes for older adults

The NHS will contact you if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible.

If you develop a new health condition or start treatment that severely weakens your immune system, your specialist may advise you to get a COVID-19 vaccine sooner. Speak to your specialist for more information.

Find out more about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.