Urgent call for vaccine take up in Devon as flu and Covid cases set to rise

Published: 28 September 2022

Everyone who is eligible for a free flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster is being urged to take up the offer as soon as they are invited to do so.

That’s because cases of coronavirus are already beginning to rise in Devon and across the UK. Natural immunity against flu is relatively low because, despite it being present last winter, coronavirus restrictions helped protect people from catching it.

People who are older or who have other health conditions that make them vulnerable, are at greatest risk this winter.

Study results from early in the pandemic show that people who catch both flu and Covid 19 at the same time are around twice as likely to die, compared to those who only have Covid 19.

Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health, said: “This is a clarion call for everyone in Devon, who is eligible for the free flu vaccine and the coronavirus booster, to come forward as soon as they are invited to do so.

“Taking up both the COVID-19 booster and flu jab is an essential form of protection against these respiratory viruses.

“Vaccines are the best way for us to protect ourselves from serious illness this winter, and I urge everyone who is eligible, not to be complacent, and to take up the vaccines when invited to do so.”