Covid concerns 'drove up' flu jab numbers

Coronavirus fears look to have driven the number of older people in Sunderland who got a flu jab over the winter to record numbers, according to new figures

Public Health England (PHE) figures show 53,698 people aged 65 and over received a flu vaccine in the city between September 2020 and February.

This was 82.8% of all those registered with GPs in the area – up from 73%theyearbefore, and the highest proportion since records began in 2013-14.

PHE said the 80.9% uptake nationally – also a record–waslikelyaresultofthe coronavirus pandemic and the lack of a Covid-19 vaccine until December.

Thefiguresalsoshowthat 54.8% of clinically “at risk” people in Sunderland had a flu jab between September and February.

The Royal College of GPs praised the "incredible" efforts of healthcare workers for the achievement, but has called for details on how the flu and Covid vaccine booster programmes will be rolled out together this year.

Professor Martin Marshall,chairmanoftheorganisation, said urgent questions needansweredregarding how the flu vaccine programme will work alongside a Covid-19 booster jab,andwhowould be eligible.

He added: “The flu vaccine is the best protection we have against flu and a high take up was especiallyimportantduetothe pandemic.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We are continuing to plan for a Covid-19 booster programme later in the year and further details of the winter flu vaccination programmewillbesetoutindue course.”