Shirley Branch Secretary, Tricia Bliss, is urging everyone who is eligible to take up the offer of a free flu jab this winter.

“I’ve been eligible on health grounds for several years now, and never miss getting one. I have cough-variant asthma, and even a cold can result in a severe cough that can last weeks. The thought of getting flu, combined with the ongoing risk of Covid-19, means that I’m taking all the precautions I can. With everything that’s going on at the moment, it was really reassuring to get a text from my GP to say it was all in hand.

In addition, fewer people getting flu will ease the pressure on the NHS over what could be a very difficult winter. So if you get invited to have the jab, please do so, and help support our amazing hospital and primary care staff.”