Get protected: flu poses serious risk this winter

The NHS and charity Carers in Hertfordshire are urging people with long-term health conditions, and the carers who support them, to get their free flu jab as soon as possible.

People aged over 65, those with certain long term health conditions and people with caring responsibilities can get the vaccine free of charge from their GP or local pharmacy. Vaccinations are available to book now.

The warning comes after Australia recorded one of its toughest flu seasons in recent years, with cases soaring and hospitals under pressure. Experts say this is a sign that the UK could also be facing a severe flu outbreak this winter.

Why it matters:

• Flu is not just “a bad cold” – it can be deadly for people with heart disease, diabetes, COPD, asthma, kidney problems, or other long-term conditions.
• Even if your health condition is well managed, flu can cause serious complications, which could lead to a stay in hospital. It can also make the symptoms of your long-term condition worse, for example causing fluctuations in the blood glucose level for people with diabetes, or triggering more frequent, or severe asthma attacks.
• Carers are also at risk – if you catch flu, both you and the person you care for could be in danger.

Dr Sam Williamson, Associate Medical Director at Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB said: “Flu is not trivial. Every winter we see patients with long-term conditions – such as heart disease, COPD, asthma or diabetes – who become very unwell after catching it. Even if you usually feel in control of your condition, flu can trigger a chain reaction of health problems that, in the worst cases, could put you in hospital. Vaccination is quick, safe, and free. Please don’t wait until flu is already spreading, book your jab now.”

Reviewing data from last winter’s flu vaccination programme found a clear link between flu vaccinations and people avoiding emergency hospital admissions. Hertfordshire and West Essex data showed that:

If you have heart disease, a lung condition, liver disease or diabetes, you are around twice as likely to be hospitalised with a respiratory illness if you don’t have the vaccine.

The findings for carers are even more stark.

If you are a carer, you are 7 times more likely to be admitted to hospital with a flu-related illness if you don’t have the flu vaccination.

Dr Williamson added: “Our analysis of last year’s data makes the benefits of flu vaccination crystal clear. People with long-term health conditions were about twice as likely to end up in hospital with serious respiratory illness if they hadn’t had the flu jab. For carers, the risk was even greater – seven times more likely to be hospitalised without protection. Flu is unpredictable, but the vaccine gives you the best chance of staying well and out of hospital this winter. Getting protected is a simple step that could make a huge difference.”

Carole Whittle, Health and Wellbeing Manager at Carers in Hertfordshire, said: “We know many carers, including young carers, worry about being unwell, which could affect their ability to care, or cause them to pass flu to the person they care for. Having your flu jab is a great way to protect not only yourself but also the person you look after from more serious illness. There are many ways you can access this, why not ask your GP or pharmacist about having it with the person you look after.”