Hundreds of people are set to be invited for COVID-19 and flu jabs as cases spike in Cumbria.
Eligible adults – including those aged 65 and over, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions – will begin receiving invitations to get vaccinated from this week.
People are also able to book their jab online as the NHS steps up its winter vaccination programmes early in response to the risk of the new COVID-19 variant.
GP practices and other local NHS services will also be contacting people to offer both flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Jane Scattergood, senior responsible officer for the Lancashire and South Cumbria COVID-19 vaccination programme, said: “We are seeing a spike in the number of people becoming ill with COVID-19 at the moment and so I would urge anyone who is eligible to take the offer of a vaccination booster this winter, to protect yourself from serious illness.
“It’s starting to get colder now, we spend more time together indoors and become more susceptible to winter illnesses so it is important we all do what we can to protect ourselves and our families from becoming unwell.
“As well as those identified and invited nationally, carers, pregnant women and health and social care staff are eligible for a vaccine. Please simply declare this using the online booking system and go ahead and book your appointment.
“Don’t wait to be called. We will not require any evidence of your eligibility.”
This year’s adult COVID-19 and flu vaccination programme has been brought forward on the advice of scientists following the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant (BA.2.86), which has a high number of mutations.
COVID-19 vaccination for those aged under 18 years will begin later in the year – the NHS will let eligible families know when this offer opens.
What do cases look like at the moment in Cumbria?
In the latest data available, the UK Government has recorded an increased number of cases in the seven-day period ending Saturday September 9.
Whilst the number of cases recorded in Cumbria has risen, numbers overall are generally low.
Hyper local areas where cases have risen the most include Workington East, where nine cases have been recorded in the week ending Saturday September 9 – which is a six case increase from the previous week, when only three were recorded.
Workington West recorded eight cases in the same week, a five case increase from the previous week.
Whitehaven Harbour and Corkickle has recorded five cases in the same period, seeing an increase from three recorded cases in the previous week.
Hawkshead and Cartmel Fell also saw a rise in cases in the week ending Saturday September 9, with seven cases reported, which saw an increase from just three reported cases in the previous week.
Eligible people can book their COVID-19 vaccinations via the NHS website, by downloading the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free if they can’t get online. The flu vaccine can be booked by searching online for a local pharmacy.
