Plymouth Residents Urged to Get Vaccinated Against Preventable Illnesses

Strategic Insights -

Plymouth's Director of Public Health, Professor Steve Maddern, has launched a new campaign, Plymouth Protects, to encourage residents to get vaccinated against preventable illnesses such as Covid-19 and flu. As the city heads into winter, Professor Maddern is urging people to check their eligibility for the Covid-19 or flu vaccine, particularly pregnant women, children, and adults with underlying health conditions.

Illnesses like Covid-19 and flu are preventable with vaccination, and vaccines are key to protecting us from serious diseases which are easily prevented. Last year, seasonal flu vaccine uptake in Plymouth was low in some groups who are eligible, with only 41 per cent of pregnant women, 45.6 per cent of two and three-year-olds, and 41.9 per cent of adults under 65 with underlying health conditions receiving their vaccine.

Key Takeaways:

  • Low vaccine uptake in Plymouth, particularly among pregnant women, children, and adults with underlying health conditions.
  • Professor Maddern is urging people to check their eligibility for the Covid-19 or flu vaccine.
  • Vaccines can protect against serious diseases, which are easily preventable.
  • Pregnant women, children, and adults with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
  • The flu vaccine is offered free on the NHS to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill.
  • Children aged 2 and 3 years, as well as school-aged children from Reception to Year 11, are eligible for the flu vaccine.
  • Vaccinating children can help prevent flu and reduce the risk of serious problems.

Statistics:

  • 41 per cent of pregnant women in Plymouth received their flu vaccine last year.
  • 45.6 per cent of two and three-year-olds in Plymouth received their flu vaccine last year.
  • 41.9 per cent of adults under 65 with underlying health conditions in Plymouth received their flu vaccine last year.
  • The flu vaccine is available to most people from 1 October 2025.
  • Children and pregnant women can get vaccinated against flu during September.

Sources:

  • Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
  • Professor Steve Maddern, Director of Public Health, Plymouth
  • NHS website: www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine (http://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine)