Flu rates in north Wales hospitals at “highest levels” since December 2022
Flu rates at hospitals across the region are at their highest levels since December 2022.
Since the end of December, more than 300 inpatients at hospitals across north Wales have tested positive for the virus.
All adults who are eligible for the NHS flu vaccine can now walk into one of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s community vaccination centres to boost their protection against serious illness without an appointment.
The vaccine can reduce your chances you catching the flu, lessen the severity of symptoms if you do, and decrease the likelihood of you of passing the virus on to others.
It also helps to protect the wider community from outbreaks, and reduces the pressure on local NHS services.
In Wales over 467,000 people in Wales are classed as clinically at risk because they are more vulnerable to winter viruses.
This includes people with a wide range of underlying health conditions – also including diabetes, and heart, liver and kidney disease – or who have a weaker immune system are eligible for vaccines to protect them against flu and COVID-19.
Everyone aged 65 and over is also eligible, while children aged two to 16 are offered a painless nasal spray flu vaccine.
A health board spokesperson said: “If you have already received an invitation to have your NHS flu vaccine at your GP surgery, please attend this appointment as planned. GP surgeries and local school immunisation teams will also continue to offer the painless nasal spray flu vaccine for children.
“Walk-in COVID-19 booster clinics for all eligible adults are already available without an appointment at our community vaccination centres. If you are eligible, you may receive both vaccines at the same time.
“We urge anyone who is eligible but has not yet received the flu or COVID-19 vaccines to take up the opportunity to reduce their risk of serious illness.”
More information about eligibility for the vaccines and further details about the walk-in vaccination clinic locations, dates and times, can be found on the health board’s website.
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