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People in Lincolnshire urged to get vital flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines

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Vaccines are our best protection this winter

People across the county are being urged to have their flu and COVID-19 booster vaccinations ahead of the first winter where COVID-19 and Flu circulate fully at the same time. Research shows those infected with both viruses are more than twice as likely to die as someone with COVID-19 alone.

Experts are predicting that there could be a significant flu surge this winter coinciding with continuing or rising COVID-19 cases. This is due to colder weather which favours transmission, darker nights which mean increased social contact indoors where it is less well ventilated, and expected lower immunity to flu due to lower levels in circulation last winter.

A recent survey conducted by Opinium seeking views from 3,000 participants found that nearly one third (32%) were unaware that flu and COVID-19 can circulate at the same time, over a quarter (26%) did not know that flu can be fatal and over half (55%) underestimated the number of people who die from flu in an average year in England (which is approximately 11,000).  

The government has launched its Winter Vaccination campaign film highlighting how much people are underestimating the combined threat of flu and COVID-19. The Winter Vaccination campaign film can be viewed on YouTube.

In Lincolnshire there are various options available to people who want to get their COVID-19 booster and/or their flu vaccination, including the county’s vaccination centres, GP practices and community pharmacies.

More than 40,000 COVID-19 booster vaccinations have been given in Lincolnshire so far. People who are eligible, including all health and care staff, care home residents, people at risk, carers and people over the age of 50, will be invited by their GP or by the NHS as six months elapses after their second vaccine. Everyone is encouraged to book their appointment as soon as they receive their invitation.

In Lincolnshire we are seeing a good demand for flu vaccinations and, whilst there has been some disruption to supply, overall we have good flu vaccine availability across the county.

This year, people who are eligible for the flu vaccination include those aged 50 plus, two and three-year olds, school children up to year 11, pregnant women, health and care staff, people who are at risk and households of immunosuppressed people. Anyone eligible can get their jab through their GP or by going to a community pharmacist.

To date, 82.7% of those aged 18 and over in Lincolnshire have had two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.  If people have been putting off their first dose, they can make a booking at NHS: Book or manage your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination or find a walk in site at NHS: Find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site.

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