Residents urged to get Covid-19 and flu vaccines

Eligible residents in Kent and Medway are being encouraged to come forward for their flu and Covid-19 vaccines ahead of Christmas.

It comes amid a 70% rise in the number of people admitted to hospital with flu nationwide.

Over 65s, pregnant women, those with certain underlying health conditions and frontline health and social care workers are eligible to get vaccinated for free.

NHS Kent & Medway's chief medical officer, Dr Kate Langford, said: "Flu and Covid-19 spread more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors and can cause serious illness."

"Every year flu is different and it can hit at a slightly different time. It has hit early this year, right on top of Christmas which is one of our busiest times of the year," she told BBC Radio Kent.

Ms Langford said the vaccine uptake was slightly low, mainly from younger people with an underlying health condition, making them eligible to receive the jab.

About 1,900 hospital beds are currently occupied by flu patients nationwide, according to NHS England.

Dr Jack Jacobs, a GP from Hamstreet, said: "I think uptake is low due to a combination of things, but there is definitely some vaccine fatigue, particularly from the Covid-19 days.

"All the stuff we did during the pandemic, such as washing hands and ventilation, helps. Some people might still want to wear a face mask when out in potentially crowded areas."

The deadline for people to book their free jabs is 19 December.

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