Covid and flu pop-up clinics to be held in Jersey

Pop-up vaccine clinics are being held across Jersey for eligible islanders to receive their flu or covid jabs.

Staff caring for patients in Jersey's hospital have begun wearing medical face masks again due to an increase in people being admitted with respiratory illnesses.

The government said it was encouraging people to get vaccinated against the flu and Covid due to rising cases "locally and nationally".

Those eligible for the Covid booster and flu vaccine are people aged over 65, those in a clinical risk group which includes pregnant women, healthcare workers and care home residents.

Those eligible for the flu vaccine are people aged 50-64, those living with certain health conditions, children aged two to school year 11 and household contacts of those who are immunosuppressed.

The clinics are set to be held at the following locations and times:

• Friday 10 January - Government of Jersey Union Street Office, 10:00-14:00 GMT and Enid Quenault Centre, 13:00-17:00
• Monday 13 January - St Clement Parish Hall, 09:00-13:00
• Tuesday 14 January - St Peter Parish Hall, 10:00-14:00
• Wednesday 15 January - Government of Jersey Union Street Office, 14:00-17:00
• Thursday 16 January - St Brelade Parish Hall, 10:00-14:00
• Friday 17 January - St Ouen Parish Hall, 10:00-14:00 and Government of Jersey Union Street Office, 10:00-14:00

Health Protection Nurse Emma Baker said the vaccines remained "the best defence" against the illnesses.

She said: "While most people who get flu or Covid will have a mild illness, those in older age groups and with certain health conditions are at a higher risk of developing serious illness and being hospitalised.

"Vaccination not only reduces your chances of the viruses, but it also makes any infection less unpleasant and reduces your infectability which means you won't pass on the viruses at the same rate as you may do if you were unvaccinated."

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