MID and South Essex NHS is encouraging people eligible for vaccinations to come forward and get vaccinated this winter. Some eligible people may not realise they are entitled to the vaccinations.
Here Chelle, 55, from Thurrock shares her experience:
“I never used to bother with the flu vaccination when I was younger – I very rarely caught a cold let alone the flu. I always thought that my natural immunity would protect me from everything. I was in my early 40s and rarely ill.
“However, about 10 years ago I caught flu twice in one winter and that convinced me to accept every winter vaccination on offer, including COVID-19, and to date this has paid off.
“The first time that I caught the flu, it knocked me for six. I went from someone who never had a day off work ill to suddenly having a week in bed. I then caught a different strain of flu about six weeks later and it totally debilitated me. My husband and children then caught the flu from me and it was the worst Christmas I ever had! It took many weeks for me to feel that I was back to normal.
“My advice to anyone who is eligible for the vaccination is to grab it with both hands. It may seem like a hassle taking some time out of your schedule, but if you catch the flu you’ll lose more than just half an hour! Don’t rely on your assumed natural immunity.
“Since that terrible Christmas, I ensure my children have their flu jabs. I would especially encourage parents of children with learning disabilities to get their children vaccinated. Those children are more vulnerable, with a higher risk of infection, and it’s not worth the danger of them catching the flu.”
If you are eligible, you can get the flu vaccine for free from your GP or your local pharmacy. You can also speak to your midwife about your options.
Helping residents to get vaccinated and prepared for winter, NHS Mid and South Essex is bringing a community vaccination bus to mid and south Essex. The bus will at Clarence Road, Grays Town Centre, on Thursday 17 October from 9am-5pm.
For more information on the vaccinations available this winter, please visit NHS Mid and South Essex’s Winter Health Hub Vaccination page: www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/health/vaccination.
Children aged 4 to 16 are offered the vaccine through the school’s vaccination programme – https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/.
