NHS Western Isles flu and COVID-19 vaccination survey

NHS Western Isles is encouraging anyone in the Western Isles that is eligible for the flu and/or COVID vaccines to complete an online survey to help improve access to vaccinations.

Currently, only 53.9 per cent of Western Isles residents eligible for the COVID vaccine have taken up the offer this year, and 57.1 per cent of those eligible for the flu vaccine.

NHS Western Isles is keen to ensure that everyone eligible has every opportunity to access the vaccines and that any barriers to accessing vaccinations are removed. This could relate to factors including geographical accessibility, lack of information or concerns about the vaccines or uncertainty about eligibility.

Influenza (flu) is an infectious virus and can be serious. Symptoms may include a fever, a cough, a headache and tiredness. Flu can be serious, even if you’re healthy.

This year’s vaccine gives you the best possible protection against the flu viruses likely to be circulating this season. The vaccine helps protect you from getting the flu. If you do get flu and have been vaccinated, the symptoms are likely to be milder and not last as long. This will reduce your risk of needing to go to hospital with serious flu illness. It also helps to reduce the spread of flu and may protect those around you from getting ill.

Coronavirus can also be a serious virus. If you’re being offered the free COVID-19 vaccine, you are more at risk of coronavirus-related complications and need extra protection, even if you feel healthy or have a health condition that is mild or well managed.

If you do get coronavirus and have been vaccinated, the symptoms are likely to be milder and not last as long. This will reduce your risk of complications or needing treatment in hospital.

The survey should take no more than 5 minutes and is available at: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/WJN262M

The survey closes on 5th February at 5pm.