Covid and flu shots will be offered over Christmas as the NHS urged people to get vaccinated amid rising hospitalizations.
The latest figures from NHS England show that Covid hospitalizations rose by more than a third (36 percent) in the week to December 18, while flu hospitalizations rose by two-thirds in the week.
As the number of cases rises over the holiday season, dozens of vaccination centers across England will be opened and pharmacies in places like London, Manchester, Darlington and Deal, Kent will be fired.
Approximately 5,500 appointments are available as of December 25, and over 100,000 appointments are available in hundreds of other locations on both sides of the holiday season.
The NHS warned on Thursday that the huge surge in flu cases is putting “significant pressure on services.”
Trust leaders also expressed concern that strikes by nurses and paramedics could exacerbate “an already very difficult situation.”
This comes as health experts have warned of a triple whammy from rising Covid and flu cases, combined with the continued impact of this month’s NHS strikes, meaning more patients will spend Christmas in the hospital.
Hospitalization data showed that there were 1,939 daily flu cases in UK hospitals over the past week, up from 1,162 the week before.
The number of flu patients in the intensive care unit also jumped more than 70 percent from 87 to 149 per day compared to the previous week.
By comparison, in mid-December, the NHS had two daily influenza patients in intensive care units and 32 patients in general and emergency departments.
The increase in patients comes amid near-record demand for 911, fueled largely by parents’ fears that their children might be infected with Streptococcus A, with calls up 60 percent year-over-year.
26 locations will be vaccinated on Christmas Day, more than 250 will be open on Christmas Eve and about 100 on Boxing Day and December 27, a public holiday.
Steve Russell, director of vaccination and screening for the NHS, said: “If for any reason you still need to come in for a flu vaccine or a Covid booster this winter, you can still come in for Christmas because the vaccination program is similar to many NHSs.” . -Services are still running and providing lifesaving protection.
“This remains the best way to protect against serious illness and hospitalizations as we enter the new year with rising infection and hospitalization rates and an increasing strain on our emergency services.”
Anyone aged 50 and over, as well as frontline health and social workers, and those at risk for issues such as a weakened immune system, learning difficulties, or pregnancy, are eligible for flu and Covid booster shots.
This year marks the third consecutive winter in which Covid cases have increased, but unlike 2020 and 2021, there has been a sharp increase in flu cases and NHS workers are already being forced to reach a record backlog to cancel treatment.
With no Covid restrictions in December, people gather indoors in much greater numbers, allowing the viruses to spread more easily.
Since the launch of the NHS Fall Campaign, nearly 20 million people have received the flu vaccine and more than 17 million have received Covid booster shots.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.