Following the announcement that seasonal flu cases are at the highest levels since 2017 in Scotland, NHS Shetland’s Public Health department is reminding the community how to help prevent the spread of flu and other respiratory infections.
For anyone who is eligible and has still not had their Covid and /or flu vaccines, they are advised to contact the vaccination team, and an appointment will be scheduled in early 2023.
The Gilbertson Park Games Hall is no longer in use, and locations for appointments will be advised by the team. The team can be contacted by emailing shet.vaccination-team@nhs.scot or by phoning and leaving a message on 01595 74 3319. Parents of pre-school children and school pupils who still require their flu vaccine should contact the child’s GP practice.
Dr Susan Laidlaw, Director of Public Heath said: “It’s not too late to book a Covid or flu vaccine for this season, and anyone still wishing to do so should contact the team.
“In Shetland, we’ve recorded a small number of lab confirmed flu cases recently, which is not unusual for us at this time of year. We generally see numbers rising later in January through to February and March and particularly following big public events. We are currently also seeing confirmed cases of Covid and other respiratory infections, which again may well increase in the next few months.
“Please bear in mind that the flu and Covid vaccines do take approximately two weeks to become effective, and often both vaccines can give you possible side effects such as fever, but these symptoms are generally short-lived. You can still catch flu (and Covid) even if you’re vaccinated, but we know that the vaccines do help prevent some infection and certainly reduce the risk of severe illness.
“We have already recorded high vaccine uptake rates amongst people in the most vulnerable groups – 85% of those in Shetland aged 65 and over have had a seasonal flu vaccination and 92 % have had a Covid booster.
“Overall, the uptake for adult flu vaccination is currently 70%, and for Covid boosters, it is 77%. Even with the disruption to walk-in clinics due to the bad weather recently, the figures in Shetland are higher than the national figures for Scotland (63% and 71%), which is really encouraging and means a good proportion of the population will have some protection against these infections and serious illness.”
Whether or not you are vaccinated, there are other precautions you can take to help protect yourself and others from flu, Covid and other respiratory infections. These include continuing to wash your hands; using good respiratory hygiene (cough and sneeze into disposable tissues, put them in the bin and wash your hands); keeping indoor spaces well-ventilated where possible; and staying at home and away from others (especially vulnerable people) if you are unwell with symptoms. Face coverings are still recommended for public transport and indoor public places and may be required in some situations or settings, such as health care.
Please do not visit relatives and friends in hospital or in care homes if you have symptoms of respiratory infections. There is more information on keeping well in winter on NHS Inform.
https://www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/healthy-know-how
Eligibility for vaccinations The following people are eligible for the Covid booster and/ or seasonal flu vaccinations:
• Anyone aged 50 or over
• Anyone aged 5 to 49 identified as being at increased risk of Covid/ flu due to certain medical conditions or a weakened immune system
• Anyone who lives with someone who has a weakened immune system
• Unpaid carers including young carers
• Pregnant women
• Health and social care staff who work face to face with patients or clients
In addition the following groups are eligible for flu vaccine only (unless they are in one of the groups above):
• Adults under 50, and young people who have left school, who are in clinical risk groups for flu but not Covid
• Pre-school children aged 2 -5
• Infants aged 6 months to 2 years who are in a clinical risk group for flu
• School pupils
• Pupil facing staff in schools
• All NHS staff
In addition, anyone who has missed any of their initial doses of the Covid vaccine can still have these by appointment. (This includes all adults and children who were aged five by 31st August 2022, and children who have turned five since then only if they are in a risk group)
Anyone who is under the age of 50 and newly diagnosed with a medical condition can check if they are eligible for Covid and/or flu vaccination by using the link below and then speaking to their GP who can send a referral on to the vaccination team.
You can find our more information and check if you are eligible for one or both vaccines at www.nhsinform.scot/winter-vaccines. You can read the leaflets about the vaccines at https://www.nhsinform.scot/wintervaccinesleaflets.