Push for higher vaccine uptake around Devon

Pressure on health service could reduce

People in Devon are being encouraged to have flu and covid vaccinations so  pressure on the NHS can be reduced this winter.

There is concern that the uptake for the flu vaccine was lower in the south west and the whole of England last year compared with the year before.

Speaking at a meeting of Plymouth City Council’s health and adult social care scrutiny panel,  medical lead for immunisation and vaccination for Devon’s Integrated Care Board (ICB) Alex Deacon said more than 18,000 deaths in the country were associated with flu over the last two winters.

This was despite last year’s relatively mild flu season.

Generally the south west has a high uptake, with 80 per cent of over 65s vaccinated, but the figure is lower among people with long-term health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, pregnant women and children.

“It’s really important we encourage everyone who is eligible to have their vaccinations,” he told councillors. “We must protect ourselves, reduce the spread of all viruses and the pressure across the whole system, from hospitals and GP practices to social care and pharmacies.”

He continued: “During the pandemic people were keener to get their vaccinations, but three or four years later coming out the other side there is a bit of vaccine fatigue and people forget how serious these viruses are.”

More GP practices, particularly around Plymouth, are now providing vaccinations, and community pharmacies across Devon are involved in administering both flu and covid jabs.

As of Sunday 20 October, across the whole of Devon, 175,000 people had received the covid vaccine and 750,000 flu vaccines given. Among 75-79 year olds, the age group most at risk, 21,000 people had received the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine.

This virus also affects babies diagnosed with the common lung infection bronchiolitis.

Councillors were told there is no evidence to suggest that people over 79 should be vaccinated against RSV but that might change and the criteria might be widened as it was with the shingles vaccine a few years ago.

Dr Deacon said ICB and outreach teams are working to make sure flu and covid vaccines are offered to sex workers and people who are homeless.