POP-up clinics to help Islanders get vaccinated against flu and Covid are being held amid a rise in winter illness.
Those eligible for their jabs are being encouraged to attend the pop-up clinics over the next week.
Consultant microbiologist and director of infection control Dr Ivan Muscat recently explained that masks had been reintroduced in clinical areas of the General Hospital – with both staff and visitors being asked to wear them – amid attempts to mitigate the impact of a rise in winter illness driven by flu.
Health protection nurse Emma Baker said: “Due to the rise in flu cases that we have seen both locally and nationally, I encourage eligible Islanders to come along to our pop-ups for vaccination.”
She continued: “It’s quick and easy and remains the best defence against flu and Covid-19.
“While most people who get flu or Covid will have a mild illness, those in older age groups and with certain health conditions are at a higher risk of developing serious illness and being hospitalised.”
She added: “Vaccination not only reduces your chances of the viruses, but it also makes any infection less unpleasant and reduces your infectability, which means you won’t pass on the viruses at the same rate as you may do if you were unvaccinated.”
Pop-up clinic times and locations:
– Monday 13 January: St Clement Parish Hall, 9am to 1pm.
– Tuesday 14 January: St Peter Parish Hall, 10am to 4pm.
– Wednesday 15 January: Government of Jersey Union Street Office, 2pm to 5pm.
– Thursday 16 January: St Brelade Parish Hall, 10am to 4pm.
– Friday 17 January: St Ouen Parish Hall and Government of Jersey Union Street Office, 10am to 4pm.
Eligibility:
Covid autumn booster and the flu vaccine:
– Aged 65+
– In a clinical risk group including pregnant women
– Health care workers
– Care home residents
Flu vaccine only:
– Islanders aged 50 to 64
– Islanders living with certain health conditions
– Children aged two to school Year 11
– Household contacts of those who are immunosuppressed
