A top NHS boss has told how “flu nearly killed me” as she appeals for people to book a vaccination before the NHS deadline next week.
Jacqueline Totterdell is group chief executive of a major NHS hospital trust and has spoken about her ordeal falling ill with the virus just before Christmas. It comes as NHS England is warning about a " tidal wave" of flu ” after the number of patients in hospital with the virus increased by 70% last week.
Asthma sufferer Jacqueline, aged 60, who leads St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group, caught the flu in 2019 and ended up in hospital for three weeks from December 19. She said: “I was close to being admitted to intensive care so I know first-hand that flu is more than just a heavy cold. As a former paediatric nurse who has worked in the NHS for more than 40 years, I have seen my fair share of patients with serious infections, but nothing can prepare you for being hospitalised with flu over Christmas.
“On Christmas Eve that year I thought I was going to die. I want to spare any patient or parent that fear by urging them to get any vaccines they are eligible for this winter.”
Jacqueline, from south west London, became a nurse in 1986 and worked her way up through the NHS to lead the health trust in south London, running Epsom Hospital and St Helier Hospital. She continued: “Luckily I had already had my flu jab that season and we know that the flu jab not only reduces your risk of catching the virus but also your risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and death even if you do catch it. I am certain that the flu vaccine saved my life.”
Around 20,000 people died from flu over the last two winters but this year death rates are expected to be even higher. NHS leaders have warned that hospitals are bracing for a so-called "quad-demic" of disease over the winter months, with an increase in cases of flu, norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and expected increases in Covid-19. RSV is a common respiratory virus that can cause a mild cold or cough but can be serious for some people such as the elderly and young children.
Jacqueline said: “Pregnant women can get vaccinated to protect their unborn babies against RSV, and older adults are also eligible. If you haven’t experienced RSV, it is a nasty virus that can lead to more serious infections such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis in babies and young children – with symptoms that would terrify any parent, such as shortness of breath and difficulty feeding.
“I understand that people have concerns about vaccines. Sometimes it feels like misinformation spreads even faster than the viruses themselves. That’s why we are doing everything we can to reassure people that the evidence is clear – these vaccines are safe, effective, and your best protection against a miserable Christmas.”
Jacqueline is now calling for eligible children and older adults to get their free NHS flu jab before the NHS online booking system closes on Friday December 20. She added: “The clock is ticking. The deadline for booking your flu or Covid jabs online closes on December 19. You can still book after this date through local NHS vaccination services, like pharmacies or walk-in sites. But I am pleading with you not to delay it – please don’t ruin your Christmas like I did.”
It comes as NHS England revealed thousands more people booked their winter vaccines the day after the NHS warned of a “tidal wave” of flu and other seasonal viruses. The number of flu and Covid-19 jab appointments booked through the NHS’s national booking system more than doubled from 9,452 on Wednesday to 21,144 on Thursday.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England’s medical director, said: “Thousands of extra people came forward yesterday for their winter jabs to help them stay healthy, but we still need thousands more to do the same. With less than a week left to book your vaccine, I’d urge anyone eligible who hasn’t made an appointment to get one booked or risk having to spend the festive season in bed – or, worse still, in a hospital bed.”
Flu season usually peaks in December and January.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation decided those eligible for a flu vaccine this year are: pregnant women, all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024, primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6), secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11), all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years, those aged 65 years and over, those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book), those in long-stay residential care homes, carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person, close contacts of immunocompromised individuals, frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by Those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.
People have until the end of December 19 to book flu or Covid-19 vaccination appointments via the NHS online booking system, NHS App and 119 phone service. Click HERE to book a flu jab or click HERE to arrange a Covid jab.
It will still be possible to book your vaccinations from Friday through local NHS vaccination services, like pharmacies or walk-in sites. However there will be fewer Covid appointments, and you may need to travel further. The flu vaccine can also be booked by searching online for a local pharmacy.
Vaccination against RSV is being offered for the first time this year to anyone who is 28 or more weeks pregnant, along with people aged 75-79 years. It remains available all year round.
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