“Last chance” call over flu vaccinations

“Last chance” call over flu vaccinations image

Home » “Last chance” call over flu vaccinations

Thousands of eligible people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes who have not yet come forward for flu vaccinations have been reminded that they have only a few days left to get their jab this winter.

The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to adults who:

  • are 65 and over (including those who will turn 65 by 31 March);
  • have certain health conditions;
  • are pregnant;
  • are in long-stay residential care;
  • receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick;
  • live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Most eligible people will have been offered a vaccination appointment or drop-in by their general practice, but you can go to any pharmacy which is offering jabs, even if you previously declined.

Over 278,000 vaccinations had been given in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes by the end of February, as part of the current offer.

Dr Andrew Rochford

Dr Andrew Rochford, chief medical officer at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“There are thousands of people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes who are eligible for a free flu vaccination, but have not yet come forward.  There are lots of different strains of the flu virus, so it’s important to get your jab every year if you are eligible.  Every year, our healthcare services come under enormous pressure from illness caused by flu.  Our advice remains the same: getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against serious illness. 

“There are lots of reasons why you may not yet have had your flu vaccination.  Perhaps you were unwell and unable to get your jab at the start of the winter, or maybe you originally said no but have changed your mind.  If you’ve only just found out that you’re pregnant, you may not have been eligible until now.  Whatever the reason, it’s still not too late, but the offer will close on 31 March. Make sure you don’t miss out.”

If you are eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can find a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination (if you’re aged 18 or over).

You can check your eligibility for the flu vaccination at nhs.uk/wintervaccinations, where you can also find answers to some common questions.

View all news

Latest news and highlights

News

27 March 2025

“Last chance” call over flu vaccinations

Thousands of eligible people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes who have not yet come forward for flu vaccinations have been reminded that they have…

News

26 March 2025

Youth Parliament Members urge NHS Board to innovate and prevent illness

Young voices took centre stage at the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) meeting on 21 March, as members of the…

News

25 March 2025

Women’s Health Summit to launch new Women’s Health Network

A Women’s Health Summit will be held this week to mark the launch ofa new Women’s Health Network for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK). BLMK Integrated Care Board (ICB)…

News

14 March 2025

Women unite for breast cancer awareness on International Women’s Day

Demonstrating a strong sense of community solidarity, women from Bedford’s Caribbean community gathered at Fujifilm in Bedford this week to mark International Women’s Day.  The event focused on raising awareness…

News

14 March 2025

Robotic pets provide comfort and companionship for local residents

With funding from NHS England, the Digitising Social Care programme at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership is evaluating the impact of RoboPets on adults receiving social…

News

11 March 2025

BLMK performance higher than regional and national averages for meeting key A&E…

Despite a challenging winter, NHS services in Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes (BLMK) performed better than the regional and national average for four-hour waits in A&E whilst also making good…