Flu jab drive to help prevent NHS becoming overwhelmed winter months during the pandemic

A flu vaccine drive has launched in Cumbria.

The NHS in the County is urging anyone who is eligible to make sure they get the free jab.

The campaign is in an attempt to prevent the health service from being overwhelmed during the ordinarily busy winter months.

A patient getting his winter flu jab in Cockermouth Credit: ITV Border
Flu jab drive in Cockermouth Credit: ITV Border

The health service is already under extra pressure because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In Cockermouth, doctors and pharmacists have come up with novel ways of getting the message out.

A mobile doctors surgery has been to the farmer's auction market, towed by a tractor in Cockermouth, to administer the vaccine to visitors.

Mobile doctor's surgery towed by a tractor at Cockermouth farmer's auction mart Credit: ITV Border

Who is eligible for the flu vaccine on the NHS in 2020?

  • Adults aged 65 and over

  • People with certain medical conditions (including children in at-risk groups from 6 months of age)

  • Pregnant women

  • People living with someone who's at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)

  • Children aged 2 and 3 on 31 August 2020

  • Children in primary school

  • Children in year 7 (secondary school)

  • Frontline health or social care workers

The NHS have announced that later in the year, the flu vaccine may be given to people aged 50 to 64.

For more information about getting a flu jab this winter visit the NHS website.