Free flu vaccine

People with breathing conditions are being urged to take up their free flu vaccine offer to protect themselves and help reduce pressure on the NHS this winter.

Almost 16,000 people with a breathing condition in County Durham have not yet taken up the offer of a flu vaccine, meaning they and their loved ones are still at risk from this potentially life-threatening illness.

There are approximately 27,000 people of all ages living with a chronic breathing condition in the county and they are all eligible for a free flu vaccine.

People with breathing conditions are at increased risk of getting flu and being seriously affected by it and are also seven times more likely to die from flu than someone without an underlying health condition.

By keeping the number of flu patient admissions to hospital as low as possible, the NHS will be better placed to cope with the additional pressures of coronavirus during the winter season.

By getting the flu vaccination early people can ease the burden on those administering the Covid vaccine. Please contact your GP and make an appointment as soon as possible.

More information is available at www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/