Damian Hinds MP: Getting your flu jab could save a life

Damian Hinds MP: Getting Your Flu Jab Could Save a Life

As the colder months arrive, posters in GP surgeries and pharmacies encourage people to get their flu jab. Each year, the NHS runs a major campaign to help protect against seasonal flu and, recently, Covid-19. For some, these illnesses can lead to serious complications and hospital stays, increasing pressure on NHS services already strained during winter.

Vaccination Rates in Hampshire

Vaccination rates among older adults in Hampshire exceed the national average, with over 65% of those aged over 65 receiving the flu jab. However, uptake among younger children is still below expectations. Just under 60% of Hampshire children aged two to three have been vaccinated, falling short of the World Health Organization’s 75% target.

Children under five experience some of the highest hospital admission rates for flu. Since early October, parents have been able to have their two- and three-year-olds vaccinated at community pharmacies, a new initiative that may improve uptake this year.

The Importance of Vaccination

Vaccination is one of modern medicine’s greatest public health achievements, saving lives daily and preventing the spread of infectious diseases globally. The UK has been a longstanding leader in this area.

“Measles, however, is a stark reminder that progress can be undone. Once considered eliminated in England, with no reported cases in 2018, the disease has since returned.

By 2021, England lost its ‘measles elimination status’, with outbreaks spreading across the country.”

These setbacks highlight the need for continued vigilance and vaccination efforts to keep communities safe.

Author's summary: Seasonal flu vaccination is crucial to protect vulnerable groups and ease NHS winter pressures, with ongoing challenges like measles underscoring the importance of maintaining immunization efforts.

Farnham Herald — 2025-11-09