Northwick Park Hospital is encouraging people in Harrow to get their flu vaccination as local hospitals begin seeing their first patients with the virus ahead of winter.
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Northwick Park Hospital, says vaccination remains one of the best ways for people to protect themselves and others as flu season approaches.
The warning comes as the latest national figures show flu activity is already starting to increase across England.
Flu activity starting to rise
Figures published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on 24 September show influenza activity increased during the week ending 20 September, although it remains at baseline levels nationally.
The rolling seven-day proportion of influenza tests coming back positive increased from 3.4% to 3.8%.
Separate GP surveillance showed 10.7% of samples tested positive for flu during the same week, up from 8.3% the previous week.
UKHSA also reported that attendances at emergency departments for flu-like illnesses had increased and were above the level normally expected for this point in the year.
Northwick Park and other hospitals run by LNWH are already seeing their first flu patients of the season.
Northwick Park staff campaign
The trust is also launching its own staff vaccination programme next week under the message ‘You can’t Hide from Flu’.
The campaign will encourage hospital staff to get vaccinated to help protect themselves, their families and patients.
John Baker, Chief Medical Officer for LNWH Trust, said: “It’s easy to get a bit blaise about flu because it occurs every year but, if you have been unlucky enough to catch it in the past, you’ll know just how unpleasant it is.
“It’s highly infectious and if you travel or work in close proximity to a lot of people you are at much higher risk of catching it. The vaccine is perfectly safe, doesn’t contain any animal products and, contrary to popular belief, doesn’t hurt.
“The worst you can expect is a bit of a sore arm for a day or two which will then give you protection during the winter flu season.”
Who can get a flu vaccination?
The NHS vaccination programme is already underway for children and pregnant women, who have been able to receive their flu vaccination since the beginning of September.
Most other eligible groups will be able to receive their vaccination from 1 October.
Those offered a free NHS flu vaccine include people aged 65 and over, adults with certain long-term health conditions, pregnant women, people living in care homes, carers and people who live with someone with a weakened immune system.
The NHS says flu normally peaks during December and January, which is why vaccinations are offered during the autumn before infections reach their highest levels.
NOW READ:
Northwick Park Hospital welcomes new interns helping young people into work
The forgotten Harrow swimming pool hidden in woodland for almost 40 years
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
