Don’t give the gift of flu this festive season, get vaccinated before it’s too late

Last winter, Rebecca Pettitt, 32, from Taunton, saw first-hand how serious flu can be for a family. She shared her experience to help others understand how quickly things can change.

“In December last year my little one-year-old girl Astrid became very poorly, and I thought she had picked up a bug from her nursery. She had a sudden fever, was very lethargic and couldn’t settle and then became very poorly.

“The next day I felt unwell with aching bones and was so tired I couldn’t stay awake, so I asked my mum if we could go and stay with her and my dad, so she could help look after us and she kindly did.

“Having flu is so much worse than having a bad cold. I have never felt so unwell. I had no energy. I felt drained and just wanted to be left alone. It was like being hit by a truck.

“A few days later, about a week before Christmas, my little girl got bronchiolitis and had to be admitted into A&E and be treated with a nebuliser. Then my mum also started to feel unwell. We all tested for COVID, as we thought that’s what it might be, but the tests were negative.

“Although we were all feeling unwell, Christmas is such an important time for our family and particularly my mum, who wanted to make it special, so we tried to struggle on.

“My mum started to feel more unwell and by Christmas Day I had never seen her look so ill. She looked grey, she couldn’t move or eat and had lost a lot of weight very quickly. My dad, my brother and I were so worried about her, particularly as she has asthma (although it is normally very well controlled). I tried to persuade her to go to hospital, but she didn’t want to ruin Christmas Day for the family.

“My dad was so worried as her breathing was rattling, and she couldn’t even keep down a sip of water.

“On Boxing Day, we persuaded her to go to Minehead Minor Injuries Unit. They were absolutely fantastic. They organised for an ambulance to take her to Musgrove Park Hospital.

“On Boxing Day, we persuaded her to go to Minehead Minor Injuries Unit. They were absolutely fantastic. They organised for an ambulance to take her to Musgrove Park Hospital.

“When she was admitted into A&E and was swabbed to understand what was making her ill. They found she had flu (Influenza A); her oxygen saturation levels were low, and they were worried about sepsis, so they admitted her to resus initially, and then she was sent to a respiratory ward where she received antibiotics and anti-viral medication for five days.

“It was really scary. I love my mum so much and rely on her a lot. It was terrifying to see her so unwell. And to see the effect it had on my dad and brother. We were all so frightened. She was so fragile when she’s normally so strong.”

Rebecca’s story shows how serious flu can be. It also shows how quickly it can spread through a family.

Protect yourself and your family this winter

The NHS in the South West is encouraging people who can get a free flu vaccine to book theirs now. Flu spreads easily when people meet indoors, especially in the run-up to Christmas. The vaccine takes about two weeks to work, so getting it early gives the best protection.

Across the region, more than 1.8 million people have already had their flu vaccine this winter. There are still plenty of appointments available at local clinics, including sessions in supermarkets, family hubs and community centres.

Cold weather also increases the risk of infections and serious illness, especially for older people and those with long-term health conditions. This makes the flu vaccine even more important for people who may be at higher risk.

People who can get a free flu vaccine include older adults, children, pregnant women, carers and frontline health and social care staff.

The NHS is also reminding eligible groups to have other winter vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, the RSV vaccine for older adults and pregnant women, and the pneumococcal vaccine for people aged 65 and over.

To find local clinics, check if you are eligible, or learn more about winter vaccinations, visit: https://staywelldorset.nhs.uk/options/vaccinations/

You can read the full update from NHS England South West here: 
Don’t give the gift of flu this festive season – get vaccinated before it’s too late