A woman said she was "stupid" to not receive a vaccine after ending up in the hospital for two weeks due to the flu and pneumonia.
Carole Hildreth, 64, was hooked up to oxygen and IV antibiotics after she became severely ill and was taken to hospital on Boxing Day. She says the illness left her exhausted and unable to walk to the toilet and has since vowed that she will "be the first in the queue" for the flu jab next year.
According to the latest data, there were 5,500 patients in hospital with the flu last week alongside more than 9,000 Covid patients. Roughly 20 million people have had a flu jab and more than 17 million have received Covid boosters, but health bosses warn there are still some who are eligible for winter vaccinations but have not yet gotten them, Wales Online reports.
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"Having flu like this came as a massive shock, totally out of the blue," she said. "Looking back, not having the vaccine was just stupid. I’m always healthy and I felt invincible I suppose – we have had a number of vaccines throughout the pandemic."
“I’ve been in hospital for nearly two weeks, first in the emergency department and then on a respiratory ward. I now struggle to get enough energy to walk to the toilet – never mind chasing after my grandchildren like I usually do, and I even have to plan if I have enough energy to brush my teeth.
“I haven’t been able to fault the care I’ve received. The NHS staff kept me alive and got me going again. It’s so busy when you get to the emergency department, but they immediately swung into action and helped me and did their very best.
“I’d say to others to please think carefully – this has been devastating and put me back on track of being up-to-date with my vaccinations. I’d urge everyone please, please, please, if you get the chance to have a vaccine, take it. I’ll be first in the queue next time.”
Those eligible for flu jabs include all over 50s, health and social care workers, people aged six months and over and considered "at risk" because of medical conditions, pregnant women, and children aged two and three.
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