FURNESS MP Simon Fell has welcomed a nationwide advertising blitz, encouraging people to get their Covid-19 booster and flu jabs to protect themselves and their loved ones this winter.

The colder weather in the winter months favours transmission and experts have warned there could a significant flu surge and continuing or rising Covid cases.

A multimedia campaign will run on outdoor billboards, broadcast and community radio and TV to support the national vaccine drive.

A television advert asks people to “get vaccinated, get boosted, get protected”, and features Michelle, an NHS nurse, explaining the benefits of the flu jab and Covid-19 booster vaccine. The new television advert will be seen in primetime spots alongside Emmerdale and Coronation Street as well as daytime shows such as This Morning and Loose Women.

67,064 people have already received a first dose in Barrow and Furness, and 62,267 have now received a second dose.

This year will see the country’s biggest flu programme in history with 35 million people eligible for a free vaccine. Starting this week, the country’s leading pharmacies have joined forces to encourage people to come forward and get their free flu vaccine and Covid-19 booster jab when eligible.

People will be invited for the Covid-19 booster jab when it’s their turn - if they have not been contacted within a week of reaching six months since their second jab they can call 119 or book online.

Mr Fell said: “Thanks to the 67,064 people in Furness who have come forward to get their jabs, we’ve been able to open up the country and make progress back towards normal life.

“Over four million people across the country have already received a booster jab. It is vital that each and every one of us continues to play our part – to protect our loved ones and the NHS, and to stay ahead in the race against the virus, by taking up the offer of a vaccine.

“Through a renewed national effort to get jabbed against Covid and flu, building on the biggest flu programme in history, we can continue saving lives by building up our protection against the virus."