Health bosses in Suffolk are urging people to get their flu vaccines to help reduce pressure on the NHS
It comes as new data shows fewer people are opting to have their flu vaccine - rates of uptake are currently lower than before the pandemic
Health bosses in Suffolk say the increased pressures they're facing in the NHS are getting worse - as fewer people are getting the flu vaccine, and more are seeking treatment for respiratory illnesses.
It comes after a recent report revealed the number of people opting to have the vaccine has reached rates lower than before the pandemic, with only 3 in 5 people choosing to have it.
"All areas of health and care are under pressure"
Doctor Ruth Bushaway is from the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board.
She tells us staff are reaching their limit in terms of the number of patients they can take on: "All areas of health and care are under pressure...
"There are no more staff, so there will be more people being looked after by the same number of staff if the hospital is full, then there's potential, although this has not happened yet, that planned work, like operations, might be affected."
She explained how the pressure on staff is also increasing due to internal sickness in the NHS: "That increased number of people coming in with respiratory illnesses can also affect the staff.
"There may be people from the hospital staff or general practice or pharmacists and carers who are catching respiratory illnesses from patients.
"Of course, the more staff who are off sick, the fewer people there are to cover rotas and look after people.
"It all adds up to make it quite a challenging situation."
"We're in a tight situation"
Despite the pressure the heath sector is under, Dr Bushaway believes the public is more reluctant to get vaccinated: "This isn't quite the same as vaccine hesitancy, where people might have a personal opinion about vaccinations or previous side effects.
"I think it's partly due to the fact that people have got busy lives. There's some confusion about where you get your vaccines.
"Additionally, I think the impact of COVID shouldn't be underestimated.
"Some people are quite tired of having COVID vaccinations, for example, and maybe as a result, aren't taking up the flu vaccine offer, which would have been offered at the same time."
She explained that it's possible people have become complacent with the idea of getting the flu, but reminds people that it's not simply a cold: "It's quite easy to forget how horrible it is.
"It's horrible, and I think for those people who have had illness this year or have seen their relatives or loved ones get flu or more serious respiratory conditions or long-lasting coughs and colds, this is just a little a reminder to say: vaccines can help to protect you and your loved ones.
"It's not too late - vaccines are still available."