KEEP DOING THE SIMPLE THINGS TO KEEP WELL THIS WINTER

Halton residents are being reminded that doing the simple things, could help to minimise the spread of illnesses and protect those who are vulnerable in our community.

Flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) are currently circulating at high levels and are likely to continue to increase in the coming weeks. High numbers of scarlet fever, which is caused by group A streptococcus, also continue to be reported.

But there are things we can all do to slow the spread. Dr Ifeoma Onyia, Halton’s Director of Public Health explains: “We all know about that around this time of year, lots of children and adults suffer from colds and coughs. But this year, we’re also seeing high levels of flu which can be really nasty for children and even more serious for those who are already vulnerable.

“There are things we can all do to minimise the spread of infection in schools and other education and childcare settings. If your child is unwell and has a fever, you should keep them at home until they feel better and the fever has resolved.

“You can also help children to learn about the importance of good hand hygiene. Practicing regular handwashing at home with soap and warm water and catching coughs and sneezes in tissues then binning them are a simple way to help stop illness from spreading.

“Adults should also try to stay home when unwell and if you are poorly but do have to go out, you may want to consider wearing a face covering. When unwell don’t visit healthcare settings or visit vulnerable people unless you really need too.

“Remember that the flu vaccination is available for all eligible groups and is the best protection we have against the virus.  There has been good uptake in older age groups but vaccination among young children remains low. Flu can be very unpleasant and, in some cases, can lead to more serious illness. Getting your child vaccinated protects them and those they come into contact with.”

Children eligible for the flu vaccine include:

• Children aged 2 and 3 on 31 August 2022
• All primary school-aged children
• Some secondary school-aged children

You can get more information getting your child vaccinated against flu here.

There are also clinics available in Halton for those people who need the Flu or Covid-19 vaccination Remember, these are evergreen offers, so it’s never too late to get a missed vaccination.

You can check your eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccination here.

Details as follows:

*The COVID vaccination available at these clinics is the seasonal (autumn) booster only for eligible groups: People aged 50 or over, pregnant, aged 5 or over and at high risk due to certain health conditions or a weakened immune system. For more info – www.nhs.uk– search ‘COVID seasonal booster.’