At-risk people | News and events

NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough are urging anyone in a clinical at-risk group to get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines, as it reveals only 27% of those eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, and 35% of those eligible for a flu vaccine, have been protected this winter.

For COVID-19 vaccines, there are still over 68,000 people in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Royston who are in a clinical at-risk group and have not had their vaccine. People in the clinical at-risk groups are anyone with:

• conditions that affect breathing, such as severe lung conditions, including poorly controlled asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
• heart conditions, such as congenital heart disease and hypertension.
• chronic kidney disease
• liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
• chronic digestive issues, such as severe gastro-oesophageal reflux
• some conditions that affect brain or nerves, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
• a learning disability
• diabetes, Addison's disease or hypopituitary syndrome
• problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you've had your spleen removed
• being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
• severe mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
• some genetic disorders, such as mitochondrial disease and chromosomal conditions
• a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine

For flu vaccines, there are still over 74,000 people in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Royston who are in a clinical at-risk group and have not had their vaccine. People in the clinical at-risk groups are anyone with:

• conditions that affect breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
• heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
• chronic kidney disease
• liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
• some conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
• diabetes or Addison's disease
• a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine
• problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you've had your spleen removed
• a learning disability
• being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above

Cali Makewell, Integrated Vaccination Service Lead with NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, said: “Some people might not be aware they are eligible for these two free vaccines, or had them previously and think they might not need them again. But it’s very important to get these vaccines as you are at an increased risk of getting seriously ill without their protection.

“We have walk-in opportunities all across the county, with lots of local pharmacies taking part, helping to make opportunities to have the vaccines more accessible to people. You can also still book a vaccine appointment if preferred.”

To find out more about these vaccines and how to book them, or find a walk-in clinic, please visit The Vaccinators website https://www.cpics.org.uk/the-vaccinators