‘If we prevent flu outbreak, it will help future Covid-19 surge’
NHS bosses in Staffordshire are preparing for the area’s biggest ever flu vaccination programme – which could be vital in helping services cope this winter.
The Government has expanded eligibility for free flu jabs to new groups this year, as part of efforts to reduce winter pressures on the NHS while coronavirus is still a serious threat.
In addition to pensioners, pregnant women and other at-risk people, the vaccinations will now be offered to schoolchildren in Year 7, shielding patients and anyone in their households, and those aged 50 to 64.
Staffordshire’s six clinical commissioning groups, which are leading a steering group overseeing the expanded programme, carried out a survey to assess how many people were likely to take up the flu vaccination offer.
Nearly 400 people responded to the survey, which indicated a ‘high intention’ to seek a vaccination.
Last winter, 70.1 per cent of pensioners in Stoke-ontrent were vaccinated, along with 72 per cent in North Staffordshire. But as in other areas, take-up among under65s was significantly lower.
Dr Alison Bradley, chairwoman of North Staffordhire CCG, told a CCG governing board meeting that offering jabs to more people than ever before would be a ‘challenge,’ particularly due to the social distancing restrictions still in place.
She said: “Flu and winter planning have been very high on the list of priorities of the six chairs and the clinical leads within the CCGS and our membership.
“A steering group has been set up across health and social care in Staffordshire to plan a system for the flu campaign, and to ensure that those who need the flu vaccine most will be vaccinated first.
“It’s going to prove to be a much greater task than previously as the eligibility criteria has been extended now, to the 50 to 64 age group, in addition to the at risk groups.
“That’s going to increase the challenge, and there’s also the challenge from the Covid pandemic and the restrictions in terms of patients who are shielding, and the need to vaccinate other people in their household.
“There’s clearly going to be a challenge to keep patients and staff safe.
“This is really the most effective way of preventing flu. If we can prevent any outbreak of flu, it will help us in terms of managing winter and any future Covid surge.”