NHS England’s Senior Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Joshua Gardner, received his flu jab this week, as the NHS urges those eligible to make sure they’re protected from the risk of serious illness in time for the festive period. Joshua attended a community vaccination service in West Yorkshire where he received his vaccination from Registered Nurse Jane Palmer.

“As we head into the festive season, it’s more important than ever to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the risk of serious illness,” Joshua said. “Receiving my flu jab here in Leeds was a simple yet crucial step in safeguarding my health. With hospitals in England managing record flu levels and a 350% increase in hospital flu cases compared to this time last year, I urge everyone eligible to get their flu vaccine.”

Joshua added: “The NHS has already administered over 27 million jabs for flu, Covid-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but we need more people to come forward. Let’s ensure we stay healthy and enjoy a safe holiday season.”

In the North East and Yorkshire, NHS teams have to date delivered 2.7 million flu vaccinations, along with 1.5m Covid and 193,000 RSV jabs.

Hospitals in England are managing record flu levels for this time of year and latest figures show an average of 1,099 people in hospital with flu every day last week, compared to 243 in the same week last year – the highest number of cases heading into winter for at least three years. The flu season usually peaks in December and January and the vaccine provides vital protection to prevent people from developing serious illnesses and ending up in hospital during the busy winter months.

People have until the end of Thursday 19 December to book COVID-19 and flu vaccination appointments on the NHS online booking system, NHS App and 119 phone service. It will still be possible to book vaccinations after 19 December through local NHS vaccination services, like pharmacies or walk-in sites. However, there will be fewer Covid-19 appointments, and people may need to travel further.

All NHS frontline health workers have been offered the Covid-19 and flu vaccines, and are encouraged to protect themselves and those they care for. Those eligible for a flu vaccine this year also includes:

• pregnant women
• all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
• primary school aged children (from reception to year 6)
• secondary school aged children (from year 7 to year 11)
• all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years
• those aged 65 years and over
• those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book)
• those in long-stay residential care homes
• carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or personal health budgets, such as personal assistants.

This month, for the first time ever, the NHS is also offering the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine to pregnant women from 28 weeks and older adults aged 75 to 79. Pregnant women are encouraged to book their vaccine via their maternity service or GP practice and older adults should wait to be invited by the NHS.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director for NHS England, added: “The flu vaccine is our best defence against winter viruses, and it also helps to reduce pressure on hospitals and hard-working NHS staff who will be working flat out over the Christmas break. So, I would urge anyone who’s eligible to add booking their flu jab to their list of things to do in the run up to Christmas so they can protect themselves and their families this December.”

For further information please visit www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations.

• Pictured with Registered Nurse Jane Palmer, NHS England’s Senior Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Joshua Gardner, received his flu jab. He encourages people who are eligible to protect themselves and their families against serious illness in readiness for the festive season. Joshua also took the opportunity to have his blood pressure checked during the walk-in session at Gipton community centre in Leeds.