Muslim leaders and UKHSA urge communities to get winter vaccines
UKHSA and BIMA urge Muslims to prioritize flu and COVID-19 vaccines for strong immunity against winter viruses.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) are urging members of the Muslim community to prioritise their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to help boost their immunity against winter viruses and get winter strong.
People eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations are advised to book their jab as soon as possible, as the NHS online vaccination National Booking System will end on 20 December.
The latest UKHSA data shows over the past 2 winters (Oct to May 2023-2024 and 2022-2023) at least 18,000 deaths were associated with flu while over 19,500 deaths were associated with COVID-19. Muslim leaders and health experts are keen on ensuring that communities are not vulnerable to serious winter illnesses this year.
Everyone aged 65 and over is eligible for a free flu and COVID-19 vaccine. Pregnant women and those with certain long-term health conditions (such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease) are also eligible. Both vaccines are the best defence we have to reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death from these viruses.
Every winter, thousands of children go into hospital for treatment, including intensive care, with children aged under 5 having one of the highest rates of hospital admissions due to flu. By getting your child vaccinated, you are not only helping to protect them but also others around them, including babies, grandparents and others with health conditions that put them at greater risk.
School-aged children (from reception to year 11) are also eligible for a free flu vaccine – given as a quick and painless nose spray – delivered in schools by local immunisation teams. If your child has missed their opportunity for a vaccine in school, there will be local NHS community clinics where they can get the flu vaccine free of charge.
Parents should ensure their children’s vaccination consent forms are returned to their school, and that 2 and 3 year-olds are booked for flu vaccine appointments at their GP practice.
If parents have any concerns about the vaccine, they should speak to a trusted religious leader or NHS nurse or doctor. Children who can’t have the nasal spray for medical or faith reasons can request an alternative flu vaccine instead, that does not contain any porcine.
For the first time this year, pregnant women and older people aged 75-79 are eligible for the new RSV vaccination, with the maternal vaccine providing vital strong protection for newborns in their first few months, when they are most at risk of serious illness from RSV.
Dr Naveed Syed, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control at UKHSA, said:
Vaccination against flu and COVID-19 remains the most effective way to safeguard yourself and your loved ones from these serious infections this winter. We know that the numbers getting the vaccines in many communities is far below what we need it to be to protect vulnerable family and friends, so I urge everyone eligible to book their vaccinations as soon as possible.
As well as protecting yourself, it’s important that your children are vaccinated too. Each winter thousands of children require treatment in hospital caused by flu. Many of these cases could be prevented by a simple vaccine. Beyond keeping your child healthy, the flu vaccine also helps stop the spread of flu in the community, protecting more vulnerable members such as elderly relatives.
Dr Salman Waqar, GP and President of the British Islamic Medical Association, said:
Our faith encourages us to consider the implications of our actions on the people around us. That is why we encourage eligible Muslim children, vulnerable adults, and those over the age of 65 not to delay their decision to get vaccinated for free against COVID-19 and seasonal flu. Please take up this offer to reduce your chances of hospitalisation this winter.
We know many people in our community have religious concerns about the porcine content of the children’s nasal flu spray, but they should know that the flu injection for both children and adults is free of this and can be requested.