Londoners urged to get Covid and flu jabs to avoid ‘twindemic’
By Joe Talora, Local Democracy Reporter
Sadiq Khan has urged Londoners to book their Covid booster jab and flu vaccine this winter to avoid a “twindemic” in the capital.
Covid rates have been steadily rising in London over the past month and, in the week leading up to September 24, 1.8 per cent of all Londoners were testing positive for the virus.
More than 1,000 people are currently in hospital with Covid in London, while health experts have warned that contracting flu and Covid at the same time could be potentially “life-threatening”.
Front line health and care workers, care home residents, those aged 50 or over and those with underlying health conditions are currently eligible to get an autumn Covid-19 booster jab.
On Tuesday, the mayor of London – who has asthma – received both his flu jab and Covid booster jab at his local pharmacy in Tooting.
There, he said that London is in a “completely different place to where we were this time last year”, but that “Covid-19 and the flu have not gone away”.
Mr Khan said: “Both of these diseases can be life-threatening, and we must do all we can to protect ourselves and reduce the chances of a ‘twindemic’ adding further pressure on our hospitals and healthcare services.
“I urge Londoners who are eligible to take-up the offer of a flu vaccine and Covid booster as soon as possible for the good of themselves, their loved ones and the NHS.”
More than 400 GP surgeries, pharmacies and vaccine hubs across London are offering both flu and Covid booster jabs, which can be administered in the same appointment.
Details of eligibility and how to book can be found on the NHS website.
Pictured top: A patient receiving a vaccination at St Charles Hospital in Kensington (Picture: RBKC council)
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