Free flu vaccine available for over-50s
The free flu vaccine is being extended to anyone in Bridgend County Borough who is over the age of 50 from Tuesday 1 December.
Earlier this year, the Welsh Government committed to the roll-out of Wales’ largest ever influenza vaccination programme to protect people from the risks of flu. It has secured nearly 460,000 additional vaccines for 2020-21 and these are being made available to all GP practices and community pharmacies in Wales.
Council Leader Huw David said: “The free NHS flu vaccine presents us with a valuable opportunity to help prevent our hospitals from becoming overwhelmed this year by both the coronavirus pandemic and annual winter flu outbreak, and I encourage anyone who is eligible to take advantage of it.
“This extension of the vaccine to residents who are over 50 will help prevent more people from becoming ill and reduce pressure on our NHS this winter as it tries to cope with the added strain of Covid-19.”
Those aged 50 and over should expect to be contacted by their GP practice or they can get in touch with their local pharmacy to arrange a vaccination.
By mid-November, more than 750,000 vulnerable people, NHS staff and schoolchildren in Wales had taken up the offer of a free flu vaccine. Of those aged over 65, 70 per cent had been vaccinated – a substantially higher number than during the same period last year.
Free flu vaccines are available to residents who are over 65, pregnant or have a long-term health condition. If you are a carer or a household contact of someone who has been shielding, you are also eligible. For more information, visit the Public Health Wales’ Beat Flu website.
