Why jabs are key to tackling winter's triple threat

Vaccinations against flu, covid and RSV are the cornerstone of the NHS plan to prevent Stoke-on-Trent's main hospital from being overwhelmed by massively increased demand for treatment of seasonal illnesses, as Phil Corrigan reports

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NHS leaders hope a renewed vaccination drive will help keep hospital admissions under control this winter.

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust declared several critical incidents last winter as it was overwhelmed by the demand for services.

One of the major factors behind hospital admissions rocketing during the colder months is the seasonal increase in respiratory illnesses such as flu, covid and RSV. Now, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) wants as many people as possible vaccinated to limit the impact of these infections.

The campaign forms one of the key pillars of the integrated care system's winter plan, with more patients offered jabs during appointments and before being discharged. Senior ICB managers told city councillors this year's winter plan would depend on all partners, including the authority.