Health chiefs are urging people in Norfolk and Waveney to have a flu vaccine to help protect themselves and their families and ease pressure on the NHS this winter.
GP surgeries and community pharmacies have begun vaccinating local people against flu. This year there will be a change to the way flu vaccinations are delivered as health teams need to factor in social distancing and infection prevention measures in order to continue to keep people safe. Due to this, vaccinations will be delivered in a phased way with various cohorts of patients being invited at different times.
A new, free government-led app - NHS COVID-19 – launches today and is a vital part of the NHS Test and Trace service in England and the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect service. It’s the fastest way to see who might be at risk from coronavirus. The app has a number of tools, including contact tracing, local area alerts, and venue check-in. It uses technology from Apple and Google, designed to protect every user’s privacy. You can find more information about the app here and in the DHSC’s press release.
FOR INFO: Guidance for health and care workers using the NHS COVID-19 app can be found here. That highlights: “If you’re a health or care worker practising infection prevention and control (IPC), including wearing correct PPE, you should pause contact tracing on your app. Remember to turn it back on after you remove your PPE.”
There is currently a high national demand for coronavirus (Covid-19) tests due to a number of factors including the return of schools and the demand for testing from international travellers.
If you don’t have symptoms and have not been advised to take a test don’t get a test.
People in Norfolk and Waveney are reminded that a variety of NHS services will be open over the bank holiday weekend including NHS 111, the minor injuries unit in Cromer, and the Norwich walk-in centre, which will continue to support patients.
A wide range of healthcare advice on minor illnesses, infections, headaches and emergency contraception is also available from pharmacies, many of which will be open.