Protect yourself and those around you: a case study with Asoke Dutta
'Coronavirus has put all of us in a danger zone, many people that I know of are waiting for a vaccine against it as well as trying to protect themselves against flu and pneumonia.'
We have just launched a campaign to support older Londoners, including those most at risk from flu and Covid-19, with information on the benefits of the flu vaccine and how it can be accessed.
The campaign will place additional focus on targeting the boroughs in North West London because vaccine uptake is especially low, as well as BAMER older Londoners.
We recently spoke to Asoke, an older Londoner, to ask about his thoughts on the flu jab and why it is so important to protect yourself and those around you this year.
What are your thoughts on the flu jab? Have they changed in light of the current situation?
'I have been taking the vaccination against flu for a number of years. It has become more important now because of coronavirus.
I have already had my flu jab this year. The GP surgery sent me a text to book an appointment which we did and had my jab last Saturday.
Many people who could be vulnerable to flu could also be susceptible to Covid-19. People who may suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma may have more likelihood of catching both diseases, at least we have a vaccination against flu so it is very important that we protect against it and wait until a vaccine against coronavirus is found.'
Do your friends and people close to you feel the same as yourself?
'Most of my friends have taken flu vaccinations as have my wife. Their thoughts for taking vaccination against flu are similar to my own thoughts. Coronavirus has put all of us in a danger zone, many people that I know of are waiting for a vaccine against it as well as trying to protect themselves against flu and pneumonia.'
Download our Flu Vaccine Toolkit
Our flu vaccine toolkit has all the facts and figures about the flu virus, the flu vaccine, and will give you all the resources to run a flu vaccine information session yourself.