More than half of eligible Black Country residents still haven't come forward for flu vaccine with cases at record high
Patients in the West Midlands have been urged to come forward for the flu vaccine as cases remain at record levels nationally for this time of year.
Hospitals nationwide are said to be on high alert due to a combination of strikes and rising flu levels. A Black Country nursing boss said that more than half of eligible people in the Black Country have not yet come forward for a flu vaccination.
New figures from the NHS show the number of people in hospital in England with flu continues to rise and remains at a record level for this time of year, though the rate of growth has slowed.
Nationally, an average of 3,140 flu patients were in hospital each day last week, up 18 per cent from 2,660 the previous week. At this point last year the number stood at 2,629 patients, while in 2023 it was just 648. In the Midlands the number of cases related to flu increased by 13 per cent, from 627 to 706 week on week.
At the beginning of this month, 3,359 people were in hospital with flu across the West Midlands.
The figures were revealed as resident doctors in England entered the second day of strike action due to a bitter dispute with the Government over jobs and pay.
But despite the possibility of the strikes, patients in the West Midlands have been urged to come forward to get the flu vaccine, and not to delay if they need urgent medical care.
Sally Roberts, chief quality officer and chief nursing officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, said: “Health and care partners across the Black Country are working closely, with staff going above and beyond to keep services running and support patients.
"But flu cases continue to rise, with growing numbers of patients requiring hospital care, placing additional strain on already busy services.
"Flu vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself and reduce pressure on the NHS, yet over 50 per cent of eligible people in the Black Country have still not come forward.
"We are urging everyone who is eligible, especially those who live with someone who is immunosuppressed, school-aged children, and children aged two to three not to delay."
Vijay Rawal, NHS Midlands regional medical director for primary care, said: “We can see flu cases rising and our hospitals entering the most pressured time of the year.
“The focus in the Midlands and of our NHS staff will be on ensuring as many services as possible can continue to operate safely.
“It is important that people across the Midlands who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal – by dialling 999 in an emergency and otherwise using 111 online and attending appointments unless they are contacted by the NHS to reschedule."
You can book a flu vaccine for you or your child today via the NHS App, by attending a mobile clinic, or contacting your pharmacist or GP practice.
