The NHS has launched its annual winter flu vaccination campaign, with officials urging pregnant women and young children to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
The vaccination programme commenced on September 1, with numerous appointment slots now accessible throughout the region for expectant mothers, toddlers aged two and three years, pupils of school age and adolescents who belong to qualifying clinical risk categories.
According to Caroline Reid, who serves as director of commissioning at NHS South East, seasonal influenza annually results in substantial sickness and hospital admissions, with young children and pregnant women being particularly vulnerable populations.
Health authorities are therefore advising individuals to schedule their vaccinations promptly upon receiving invitations.
During the previous year, over 3.3 million residents across the South East region received their flu vaccinations, placing the area at the second-highest position nationally for uptake rates.
Additional qualifying categories will become eligible for flu vaccination from October 1.
This encompasses individuals aged 65 years and above, adults within clinical risk categories, caregivers, residents of care facilities, frontline healthcare and social care personnel, and persons without stable housing.
Vaccinations will be administered through general practitioner surgeries, community pharmacies, school-based immunisation teams and various other regional NHS service providers, subject to individual eligibility requirements.