Covid, flu and RSV jabs: NHS in Birmingham bracing for winter patient surge
NHS services in Birmingham are bracing themselves for a surge in patients taking up appointments with avoidable conditions over the next few weeks.
NHS Birmingham and Solihull is urging thousands of people to get vaccinated against diseases such as Covid, flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and get vital protection for winter.
Bosses said people could die or become sick with avoidable respiratory illnesses, which could have been avoided by having a jab, over the next few months.
They also predict around 3,500 GP appointments and 10,000 hospital admissions across Birmingham and Solihull will be taken up unnecessarily.
A six-week ‘breathe easy’ campaign has been launched by NHS Birmingham and Solihull which is promoting vaccination amongst residents.
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Across Birmingham and Solihull there are 221,000 adults aged 65 years and over who are eligible for a Covid and flu vaccination.
There are over 150,000 residents who are aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group who would benefit from the protection of both Covid and flu vaccinations.
In 2024/25 approximately 60,000 Birmingham and Solihull residents will be offered the RSV vaccination.
Dr Clara Day, Birmingham and Solihull’s medical director said: “Vaccination is the best form of defence against flu, Covid and RSV.
“No one wants to be admitted to hospital for an illness that could have been entirely preventable.
“We need people to take advantage of the vaccinations that are available to them this winter and do all they can to protect themselves and those around them from these potentially serious and sometimes fatal infections.”
David Melbourne, chief executive of Birmingham and Solihull’s Integrated Care Board which plans services, said: “We know that immunisations keep residents and health and care staff ‘breathing easy.’
“We can only achieve our long-term goals of keeping Birmingham and Solihull residents safe and well by doing everything we can today, and this winter.”
And director of public health in Solihull Ruth Tenant added: “Every year we strongly encourage our citizens to get their vaccinations, as they gives extra protection against common winter illnesses.
“These illnesses can be very harmful and vaccination really can make a big difference.
“Even if you aren’t in a vulnerable group, getting vaccinated will reduce the likelihood of you passing an illness onto others, significantly reducing the spread and severity of these viruses.
“I would urge anyone who can to get their vaccinations as soon as possible this winter and encourage friends and family to do the same.”
People can find out more about essential immunisations this winter on the NHS Birmingham and Solihull website.