Guernsey’s Health and Social Care (HSC) and Primary Care colleagues have been working together to roll out the influenza (flu) vaccine for 2020 to the following priority people:
- healthcare workers,
- all children from aged 2 and up to and including school year 7,
- those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups,
- pregnant women,
- those aged 65 years and over,
- those in long-stay residential care homes,
- carers,
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals,
- health and social care staff employed by a registered residential care/nursing home, home care provider or a voluntary managed hospice provider.
Guernsey is now in a position, following receipt of the last batch of vaccines, to offer flu vaccinations to individuals aged between 50 and 64. These will be administered via Primary Care flu vaccination clinics and eligible people will be contacted by their doctor’s surgery in order to make an appointment.
For the 50-64 year old cohorts, the States of Guernsey will fund the cost of the vaccine and contribute £7 (approximately 50% of the standard fee) towards the cost of clinical administration.
Jo Rocha, Health Protection Nurse from HSC Public Health said: “This year it is more important than ever to ensure that islanders take up the offer of the vaccination against seasonal flu. We have had an excellent take up so far this year from those aged over 65, and those who identified as ‘at risk’ from seasonal flu.
“We would really encourage islanders to have the flu vaccine this year so we can ensure our community receives the protection it brings. Having the vaccine protects both individuals and the wider community by limiting the spread of the flu virus.
“As well as encouraging islanders to get the flu vaccine, I would like to remind the community that practicing good hand hygiene by catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue, throwing it away and washing your hands afterwards can really help limit the spread of the flu virus. Remember: catch it, bin it, kill it”.
