The NHS in the South West is encouraging all eligible people to get their winter flu vaccine in the lead up to the Christmas period – and is making it easier than ever to find out where clinics are in your local area.

The country-wide vaccination drive kicks off this weekend as those eligible for their free flu jab are urged to get vaccinated now to get protected before the festive period, as the vaccine usually takes two weeks to be fully effective.

To make it as easy as possible for those eligible to get the jab while out looking for Black Friday deals or Christmas shopping, local teams are hosting clinics across key community areas such as family hubs, community centres and supermarkets over the next week.

So far in the South West there has been 1.8 million flu vaccines delivered to eligible people since this season’s rollout kicked off, with over 170,000 appointments still available across the next week.

Dr Trevor Smith, Regional Medical Director for NHS England South West, said: “It can take up to two weeks after you receive your flu vaccination to fully benefit from it. This is why we are advising all those who are eligible to get their flu vaccine sooner rather than later, to ensure the best protection before the festive season.

“December is often the time of year where many of us begin to have gatherings with family and friends, and the weather can drive us indoors, increasing the risk of spreading viruses such as flu. By getting your flu vaccination, you’re not only protecting yourself, but those around you as well.”

Those eligible include people aged 65 and over, those in clinical risk groups and close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, pregnant women and children, care home residents and carers, frontline social care workers, and health and social care staff.

Eligible adults can book their flu vaccine appointment now via the NHS App, their GP practice, online at www.nhs.uk/bookflu, by calling 119 or by finding their nearest walk-in service. Community clinics available in the South West over the next week can also be found on the NHS South West website to make it as easy as possible to find your local clinic.

Parents are being reminded to complete their child’s school vaccination consent forms or to book an appointment for 2 to 3-year-olds, to ensure their child’s protection from flu ahead of the Christmas break.

A family from Somerset have shared the reason behind why they receive their flu vaccines, after falling ill with flu over the festive period.

Rebecca Pettitt, 32 from Taunton, said: “In December last year my little one-year-old girl Astrid became very poorly, and I thought she had picked up a bug from her nursery. She had a sudden fever, was very lethargic and couldn’t settle and then became very poorly.

“The next day I felt unwell with aching bones and was so tired I couldn’t stay awake, so I asked my mum if we could go and stay with her and my dad, so she could help look after us and she kindly did.

“Having flu is so much worse than having a bad cold. I have never felt so unwell. I had no energy. I felt drained and just wanted to be left alone. It was like being hit by a truck.

“A few days later, about a week before Christmas, my little girl got bronchiolitis and had to be admitted into A&E and be treated with a nebuliser. Then my mum also started to feel unwell. We all tested for COVID, as we thought that’s what it might be, but the tests were negative.

“Although we were all feeling unwell, Christmas is such an important time for our family and particularly my mum, who wanted to make it special, so we tried to struggle on.

“My mum started to feel more unwell and by Christmas Day I had never seen her look so ill. She looked grey, she couldn’t move or eat and had lost a lot of weight very quickly. My dad, my brother and I were so worried about her, particularly as she has asthma (although it is normally very well controlled). I tried to persuade her to go to hospital, but she didn’t want to ruin Christmas Day for the family.

“My dad was so worried as her breathing was rattling, and she couldn’t even keep down a sip of water.

“On Boxing Day, we persuaded her to go to Minehead Minor Injuries Unit. They were absolutely fantastic. They organised for an ambulance to take her to Musgrove Park Hospital.

“When she was admitted into A&E and was swabbed to understand what was making her ill. They found she had flu (Influenza A); her oxygen saturation levels were low, and they were worried about sepsis, so they admitted her to resus initially, and then she was sent to a respiratory ward where she received antibiotics and anti-viral medication for five days.

“It was really scary. I love my mum so much and rely on her a lot. It was terrifying to see her so unwell. And to see the effect it had on my dad and brother. We were all so frightened. She was so fragile when she’s normally so strong.”

65-year-old Jill Pettitt, said: “I have never felt so ill. It took me six months to fully recover and rebuild my energy after having flu.

“I went from being very fit and active, walking my dog every day to someone who had no energy, struggled to get out of bed, was exhausted and couldn’t eat.”

Early seasonal data shows vaccination remains the best defence against flu for children and adults, who are receiving strong protection from this year’s flu vaccine despite the emergence of a new flu sub-strain driving an unusually early flu season.

UKHSA’s first Cold-Health Alert of the season also reminded the public that cold weather can have a serious impact on health, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.

COVID-19 vaccinations are available to adults aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents and people who are immunosuppressed, with 604,689 delivered so far this season.

Adults aged 75 and over and those that are immunosuppressed can book their COVID-19 vaccine directly with their local pharmacy, GP practice, via the NHS app, online at www.nhs.uk/bookcovid or via 119.

The NHS also recommends the RSV vaccine to pregnant women and older adults, as well as the pneumococcal vaccine to over 65s, to help protect against serious illnesses that are more common in the winter, like pneumonia.

You can access more information on recommended vaccinations at nhs.uk/vaccinations.