In the news: Get onboard winter vaccination campaign as bus rolls into Basildon

Getting vaccinated against winter illnesses is one of the most important things that residents can do to protect their health. Last winter, almost 60% of eligible people in mid and south Essex received their flu vaccination (over 337,000 residents). This year, the community vaccination bus is going on a roadshow to make sure even more people are supported to get the flu vaccination to protect themselves and their loved ones.

The bus will offer advice about winter vaccinations, including the flu, COVID-19, and new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines. Healthcare professionals will be onboard to vaccinate those eligible or signpost people to their local GP surgery. Adults over 40 years old can also get free blood pressure checks and gain practical health advice.  

Chelle, 55, Thurrock, is backing the campaign. She says: "When I was younger, I never used to bother with the flu vaccination, and I very rarely caught a cold, let alone the flu. Having flu twice in one winter convinced me to accept every winter vaccination on offer, including COVID-19, and to date this has paid off."

As temperatures start to dip, a rise in illnesses such as flu, COVID-19, respiratory infections, and other conditions impact people's health and wellbeing. These illnesses place additional strain on the local NHS.

Mary Oaiya is a Clinical Pharmacist working for NHS Mid and South Essex, based in Essex. She is urging people to get vaccinated: "Getting your winter vaccinations is so important to help yourself and your loved ones stay fit and healthy during the cold months ahead.

"This year, we're reaching out into the heart of our communities with our vaccination bus to help people make an informed choice and get vaccinated. Protecting yourself and your family and friends from serious illnesses such as influenza is very important."

The vaccination bus will also be travelling to:

• Morrisons, Southend-on-Sea, on Wednesday 16 October from 9am-5pm
• Morrisons, Northwick Road, Canvey Island on Friday 18 October from 9am-5pm

To find out more about getting vaccinated this winter, visit NHS Mid and South Essex's Winter Health Hub, which has a dedicated Vaccinations section with information on where local people can get the flu, COVID-19, and new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations.

Residents can also sign up to receive free emails from local healthcare specialists this winter. These emails will provide advice on vaccinations, self-care practices, mental health, falls prevention, respiratory conditions, and how to get the right care from local services.

ENDS

For further information

E: Hilary Collins, Big Wave PR, hilary@wearebigwavepr.co.uk

E: Carl Allen, Big Wave PR, carl@wearebigwavepr.co.uk

T: Big Wave PR, 01206 231807

Notes to editor

Vaccinations

• The vaccination bus is travelling to areas in mid and south Essex which have historically lower vaccination uptake, to make sure everyone has the same chance to stay healthy no matter where they live.
• Bookings for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are open and appointments will run until 20 December.
• Flu vaccinations for children at school have already started and pregnant women and people have also been able to get their flu jab from 1 September. From 3 October, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations will be available for other eligible groups.
• For the first time the NHS will also offer vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of coughs and colds which can be dangerous to older people and young children. The jab will be available to those aged 75 to 79, and it will be offered to pregnant women from 28 weeks, to protect their child.
• Last year, over 337,000 of the over 600,000 eligible people in mid and south Essex received the flu vaccine (55.9%). Uptake was lower among those under 65 with a long-term health condition (42.5%) and pregnant women (22.7%).

NHS Mid and South Essex

NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is responsible for deciding how the NHS budget for mid and south Essex is spent. 

It is also responsible for developing a plan to improve people's health, deliver higher quality care and better value for money.

You can find out more about the ICB's responsibilities here: https://www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/about/boards/integrated-care-board/about/