THE FIGHTERS
New jab ‘to save 700 lives’
PENSIONERS are being offered a new three-strain vaccine as the NHS gets ready for the flu season.
The illness killed 15,000 people in the UK last year.
Doctors hope the latest vaccine could save 700 lives this winter.
The last flu season saw 7,000 more deaths than on average.
It is hoped the new “triple jab” for over 65s could mean 30,000 fewer GP consultations and see 2,000 fewer people admitted to hospital.
Around 24million people will be offered injections this year – 3m more than in 2017/18.
Jabs will be offered to all eligible adults under the age of 65, including pregnant women and those with long-term health conditions.
The programme has been extended this year, with children in year five now being offered the vaccine, along with children in reception to year four. Social workers and frontline staff are also eligible to receive the vaccine for free.
Health chiefs want all healthcare workers to have the jab after only 68.7% were vaccinated last year.
Some NHS staff chose not to get the vaccine because they wrongly believed it could make them ill, England’s top nurse has said.
Professor Jane Cummings, the chief nurse for England, left, said “myths” persist around the vaccine, including that it gives people flu. Prof Cummings said 50% of staff carrying flu have no symptoms but can pass it on to vulnerable patients, family and colleagues.
She said NHS staff have “a duty of care” to patients to get the jab. The flu vaccine does not contain any live viruses and cannot cause flu, although some people may have a slight temperature and aching muscles afterwards.