Over 2,000 people get flu vaccine at Bristol County Ground
29 October 2020
Over 2,000 people were administered with the flu vaccine at a hugely successful clinic carried out by the Gloucester Road Medical Centre (GRMC) staff at the Bristol County Ground.
In a truly testing year, there has never been more emphasis on the health and wellbeing of the population, particularly amongst the most vulnerable. With safety regulations such as social distancing in place, medical centres around the country have had to limit the number of staff and patients in their practices.
To combat the issue of a lack of space, the Bristol County Ground became a temporary outdoor clinic on three occasions in September and October that saw over 2,000 people vaccinated by GRMC nurses with the support of practice staff and reception staff.
Gloucestershire Cricket CEO, Will Brown said:
“In a year where the challenges facing all of us and our amazing health services are so significant it has been an absolute pleasure to help in some small way.
“Dr Iyer and the team at the Gloucester Road Medical Centre have been outstanding to work with and we look forward to working with them in the months ahead.”
Bristol County Ground was part of a range of sites around the area that dedicated their space to facilitating clinics for their local community. Portishead Folk Hall in North Somerset and the Old School Hall in Almondsbury were other venues part of the largest flu vaccination programme to date.
Dr Geeta Iyer, a GP at GRMC and Clinical Lead for Primary Care Development expressed the importance of getting the flu vaccine in 2020.
“Flu is a serious illness that hospitalises and kills thousands each year, so it’s always important that we protect the most vulnerable from its effects.
“This year there’s an even greater urgency because of the presence of Covid-19. It’s vital that vulnerable groups such as members of ethnic minorities, men, and those with weakened immune systems get their free flu jab as soon as possible.”
Flu vaccination is important because:
- if you're at higher risk from coronavirus, you're also more at risk of problems from flu
- if you get flu and coronavirus at the same time, research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill
- it'll help to reduce pressure on the NHS and social care staff who may be dealing with coronavirus
The flu vaccine is given to people who:
- are 65 and over (including those who'll be 65 by 31 March 2021)
- have certain health conditions
- are pregnant
- are in a 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's at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)
- frontline health or social care workers
You can have the NHS flu vaccine at:
- your GP surgery
- a pharmacy offering the service
- your midwifery service if you're pregnant
For more information on the flu vaccine, visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
