NHS vaccine plea as winter bugs set to peak

Health bosses have urged Shropshire residents to get vaccinated against winter bugs, with viruses expected to peak in the coming weeks.

NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin said there were just days left to book vaccination slots via the national booking system and urged people to schedule appointments as soon as possible.

The health trust said latest data from the UK Health Security Agency revealed flu cases were currently highest among five to 14-year-olds, but a significant rise in adult cases was anticipated once schools and nurseries closed for the holidays.

Chief nursing officer Vanessa Whatley said it was important to prepare.

She said: "We're seeing lots of winter bugs happening at the same time."

Flu was circulating, along with norovirus and the respiratory virus RSV, she explained.

The situation "was causing people to have time off school and work and also cause attendances to rise at hospitals".

She said NHS vaccines were available to different groups for Covid, flu and RSV, and eligible people had been contacted, adding private flu jabs were also available.

NHS Covid vaccines and flu jabs can be booked on the national booking service until Friday.

Ms Whatley said: "People can still get the vaccine from their GP surgery and from their pharmacist if they go in and arrange it directly.

"It's just where there's stock left at this time of year, they might have to try a couple of places, but the pharmacist or the GP surgery will know."

People have been urged to follow good hygiene, prepare for minor ailments, order repeat prescriptions in advance, and keep warm and well.

Common seasonal issues can be managed at home, pharmacies can help with minor illnesses, and there are minor injury units in Bridgenorth, Ludlow, Oswestry and Whitchurch, the trust says.

For emergencies including chest pain, serious injury or stroke, people should go straight to A&E.

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