The UK Health Security Agency is urging all eligible people in the West Midlands region preparing for Diwali to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccination, to ensure a safe and healthy celebration.
The vaccines take up to two weeks to build immunity for maximum protection, so getting vaccinated early will help lower the risk of severe illness in time for Diwali on 20 October.
Jasvir Kaur Bal, Health Protection Practitioner with UKHSA West Midlands, said: “The Diwali season is a time when Hindus, Sikhs and Jains come together with family and friends to celebrate over five days, with feasting and exchanging of gifts.
"As Diwali occurs in October or November, this coincides with the winter sickness season – when we typically see cases of flu and COVID-19 increasing.
"That’s why we’re urging everyone celebrating Diwali who is eligible for their flu and Covid vaccines to prioritise their health and ‘stay strong, get vaccinated’.
“People over 65 years, pregnant women, those with certain health conditions, those who are carers or living with immunocompromised people, and children are all eligible to get the flu vaccine.
"Every winter, thousands of children are hospitalised due to flu, but this is easily prevented by a painless nasal spray vaccination. Younger children aged two and three years can get this vaccine from their GP, and school-aged children can get it at school with parental consent.
"The vaccine helps protect your child from flu as well as stopping them spreading the virus to those more vulnerable around them, like grandparents. Children who cannot have the nasal spray for medical or faith reasons should request an injected flu vaccine instead.
"Make sure you and your loved ones have a blessed, healthy and prosperous Diwali by getting your winter vaccines.”
If you are eligible, it is because you are at greater risk of serious illness from flu and COVID-19 and of ending up in hospital.
Flu and COVID-19 spread more when we spend more time indoors. If you are in one of the groups who is eligible for vaccination against flu and COVID-19, ensure you get your vaccines. This will help your Diwali celebrations stay on plan, whether that’s sharing delicious meals, lighting lamps or exchanging gifts with friends and family.
Vaccination teams across England are working to protect millions most at risk of getting seriously ill this winter by building immunity ahead of December and January, when hospitalisations for respiratory viruses typically rise. Taking up the vaccines means you have taken steps to minimise the chances of spreading these infections or even experiencing serious complications from them.
For the first time, those eligible for winter vaccines have been able to book appointments since 1 September, allowing more people to book their flu or COVID-19 vaccine appointments in advance.
Those aged 65 and over, under 65s in clinical risk groups, care home residents and carers, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, frontline health and social care workers, as well as children and pregnant women are eligible for the free flu and COVID-19 vaccines from the NHS.
People aged 75-79 and pregnant women are also eligible for an RSV vaccination, with the maternal vaccine not only protecting the mother but passing protection through the placenta for newborns in their first few months, when they are most at risk of severe illness from RSV.
Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), COVID-19 vaccinations are also available to adults aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents, and people who are immunosuppressed.
Children are also eligible for a free flu vaccine, which is offered as a free, quick and easy nasal spray, and are advised to take up the vaccine ahead of the festivities. Younger children are particularly vulnerable to flu and every winter, thousands of children are hospitalised, with children under the age of 5 years having one of the highest rates of hospital admissions due to flu compared to other age groups.
By getting vaccinated, your child not only protects themselves, but also those more vulnerable around them, including babies, grandparents, and people with weakened immune systems.
Parents of school-aged children are urged to ensure their children’s school vaccination consent forms are completed, and that eligible pre-schoolers, 2-and-3-year-olds, are booked for an appointment at their GP practice. Children in Reception to Year 11 will be offered the vaccine in schools by immunisation teams up and down the country.
Any child aged 6 months or over who has a health condition that puts them at increased risk from flu should have a vaccine every year. Children who can’t have the nasal spray for medical or faith reasons should request an injected flu vaccine instead.
Booked appointments and walk-in sessions are now available across local pharmacies, GP practices and community clinic drop-in centres across the country and you can book an appointment via the NHS App, your local GP practice, online at nhs.uk/bookflu or nhs.uk/bookcovid, or by calling 119.
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