Health chief makes jab plea amid Cambridgeshire flu spike

NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough has found that the number of people being admitted to hospital with flu or Covid has increased over the Christmas holidays. 

Dr Fiona Head, chief medical officer at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and a local GP, is one who is advising those who have not had a vaccination yet to do so. 

“We know that both flu and Covid are circulating in our local communities right now, and vaccinations are your best protection against the worst effects of these illnesses,” she said. 

“If you’re eligible for your flu or Covid vaccination but haven’t yet taken up the opportunity to get vaccinated, I would encourage you to book your vaccination as soon as possible.” 

An average of 3,746 people with flu were in hospital across the seven days to December 25, up week on week from 2,088, according to NHS England. 

Staff absences due to Covid at hospital trusts in England also rose by 47 per cent in a month, to 8,029 in the week beginning December 19. 

In Cambridgeshire, there were 237,894 positive Covid cases recorded as of January 5 with more than 14,000 reinfections and 1.53 million vaccinations given in total, according to government figures.

“In case you do become unwell with an infection like Covid or flu, keep common medicines like paracetamol at home,” she said. 

“If you do have a fever or sickness bug stay home to cut down the risk of spreading the infection and if you do need to go out and mix with people, consider wearing a face mask.” 

Dr Head added: “By taking these steps, we can help [keep] more people well and ensure those in greatest need of NHS support are able to access it as quickly as possible.” 

Those eligible for a vaccine include people aged 50 and over, people who are pregnant and those with certain health conditions that could more likely get severe infections. 

For more details on how to book your flu or Covid vaccination, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/.