Hospital admissions for flu have risen sharply, prompting calls for urgent community vaccination measures to protect vulnerable Dorset residents.
Calls have been made for vaccinations to be delivered in familiar community venues across Dorset, including village halls, pubs and churches, as pressure on NHS services increases and hospital admissions linked to flu rise week on week.
The proposals have been backed by Vikki Slade, who says Dorset’s older population means the county faces higher risks during winter illness periods, particularly if vaccination rates continue to fall among those most likely to need hospital care.
Figures show flu hospitalisations rose by more than half in a single week, while vaccination uptake among over sixties five has dropped slightly compared with the previous season, adding further strain to health services supporting older residents.
In Mid Dorset and North Poole, more than a quarter of residents are aged over sixty five, well above the national average, raising concerns about capacity in local hospitals and community care during periods of high seasonal illness.
The MP has also raised concerns in Parliament about the exclusion of over eighties from the RSV vaccine, asking Health Secretary Wes Streeting to review the decision so older carers can better protect themselves and their families.
Speaking in the Commons, she highlighted the case of a Wimborne resident caring for her husband, asking for reassurance that older people can stay well this winter.
The proposals would see flu jabs offered in supermarkets, social clubs and mobile vaccination vans, aiming to make access easier for residents who may struggle to attend traditional appointments.
Share us with your friends on social media, and have a listen to Bournemouth One online and on DAB for all your local news, traffic, jobs, weather, coastal info and more.
Register below for free regular updates via email.