Eligible people in the Black Country are being urged to come forward for a flu vaccination.
The flu can be a serious illness, particularly for those with underlying health conditions, the elderly, and young children.
The flu vaccine helps protect those most at risk from getting the flu. If you do get flu and have been vaccinated, the symptoms are likely to be milder and not last as long. This will reduce your risk of needing to go to hospital with serious flu illness.
People are eligible for a flu vaccination if they are aged 65 or over, pregnant, aged 6 months to 64 years in clinical risk groups, live in a care home for older adults, or are frontline health and social care workers.
A host of pop-up clinics have been set up across the Black Country, offering flu vaccinations for all eligible adults until the end of March, with no appointment necessary. You can find your nearest pop-up clinic here.
Flu vaccinations are also available at a range of community pharmacies on a walk-in basis. To find a pharmacy near you visit the NHS website.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “The flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to help protect against flu and is designed to help protect those who are most at risk from developing complications from the virus, helping to minimise hospitalisations.
“It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.
“That’s why we are reminding all eligible individuals that it’s not too late to come forward for the flu vaccine, if they haven’t taken up the offer of getting it already.
“Flu vaccinations are available until the end of March, but it’s best to get vaccinated sooner to protect yourself during winter.”
