NHS WALES is urging people to get their vaccinations done to 'protect themselves' and others from illness, with flu and whopping cough cases on the rise.

Flu and COVID-19 are still circulating in communities across north Wales.

Over the last month, more than 200 inpatients at NHS Wales hospitals have tested positive for flu - the highest level since the first week of January 2023.

Walk-in COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinics for eligible adults are being held at various community vaccination centres until the end of March.

Check your eligibility for the vaccines and dates, times and locations of clinics.

NHS Wales says that painless nasal spray flu vaccines are also available from GP surgeries for children aged two and three.

Schoolchildren from Reception to Year 11 can still get a spray flu vaccine at catch-up clinics organised by our school immunisation teams. Please look out for more details advertised through school.

A spokesperson for NHS Wales said: "The best way for vulnerable people to protect themselves against the serious illness caused by COVID-19 and flu is to get the COVID-19 Autumn booster and annual flu vaccine.

"The vaccines can prevent you getting the viruses, lessen the severity of symptoms if you do, and reduce your chances of passing them on. They also help to protect the wider community from outbreaks, and reduce the pressure on local NHS services. If you have been contacted with an invitation for your vaccine, please make sure you take it up."

Following guidance issued by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the Welsh Government, NHS Wales teams are currently planning the COVID-19 Spring booster programme in North Wales.

From April 2, they will start offering a booster vaccine to:

  • All adults aged 75 years and over
  • Residents in care homes for older adults
  • All adults and children aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined by tables 3 and 4 of the Green Book).

The COVID-19 Spring booster will be offered to patients around six months after their last dose of the vaccine.

Whooping cough cases also on the rise

NHW Wales is also teaming up with Public Health Wales to encourage expectant mothers and parents of newborn children to take up vaccination against pertussis (whooping cough).

This is after suspected cases of whooping cough have risen rapidly in recent weeks.

Whooping cough is a bacterial infection of the lungs which spreads very easily. It can cause serious health problems, with very young children at highest risk.

Pregnant women are offered pertussis vaccination during pregnancy to help protect their child during the earliest weeks of their life.

Babies are offered further vaccination as part of the routine schedule at eight, 12 and 16 weeks.

NHS Wales say: "If you are pregnant or have a new baby please make sure you or your child has the pertussis vaccine and all other routine vaccinations. If you have any questions, please speak to your community midwife or health visitor."