Quarter of a million people | News and events

Health leaders in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Royston have reached the milestone of vaccinating over a quarter of million people against seasonal flu and COVID-19 so far this winter.

The most vulnerable people are offered flu and COVID-19 vaccines, along with those who are most likely to pass the viruses onto people at risk. So far over 60,000 COVID-19 vaccines and 225,000 flu vaccines have been given to local people. Getting vaccinated remains the best way to reduce the chance of getting these viruses or needing hospitalisation.

The vaccinations are available in a number of ways including GP practices, pharmacies, walk-in clinics and for children, getting vaccinated at school.

Those eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination this autumn/winter are:

• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in a care home for older adults

·         People aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment such as blood cancer, organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients, people who have or recently had chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiotherapy.  

Those eligible for the free flu vaccine this autumn are:

• people who are aged 65 or over
• have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant
• live in a care home
• are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance or live with someone who has a weakened immune system
• all children aged 2 to 3 years, school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) and children with certain long-term health conditions. 

Cali Makewell, Integrated Vaccination Service Lead with NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, said: “Going into this winter, we want to give our local communities the maximum protection against COVID-19 and flu, so we’re pleased to have reached this important milestone. Even for those who’ve had a COVID-19 or flu vaccines before, it’s still important to get these vaccinations as viruses change and immunity decreases over time.”

Anyone who would like to get their vaccine can visit https://www.cpics.org.uk/the-vaccinators to find a walk-in clinic near them. Alternatively, people who would prefer to book in can get their appointments scheduled in via https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-19-services/covid-19-vaccination-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/, or by calling 119.