Get your flu jabs now says NHS Tayside

The reminder comes as Public Health Scotland (PHS) data shows that in Scotland, in the week ending December 11, there were on average 735 patients in hospital with COVID-19, an 18.2% increase from the previous week.

Admissions for flu are also on the rise with the highest hospital admission rate noted in patients aged less than one year old (18.5 per 100,000).

Parents and carers are encouraged to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible if they haven’t done so already.

All primary and secondary school pupils and all pre-school children aged 2 to 5 (on 1st September 2022) are eligible for the vaccine, as well as children aged 6 months and over with an eligible health condition. The flu vaccine for children is a painless nasal spray which will help protect them and reduce the risk of them spreading the virus to more vulnerable people.

The vaccines are safe, effective and offer the best protection to those most at risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and flu while also helping to protect the NHS at this, the busiest time of year.

Adults over 50 are entitled to get both free vaccines and further information on eligibility for each jab is available at nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines.

Dr Daniel Chandler, Associate Director of Public Health at NHS Tayside, said: “We’d like to thank all those who have come forward for vaccination so far. The vaccines are the best protection we have against flu and COVID-19, and with hospital admissions due to the viruses rising, it’s really important that that those who are eligible get vaccinated as soon as possible.

“If you are eligible and you’ve not yet had your winter vaccines please book an appointment today or come along to one of our drop-in clinics. There are also appointments available if your child has still to receive their flu vaccine.”

Winter vaccines can be booked online at www.nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines