Evington councillor criticises vaccination up-take rates
Responding to a report presented to members of Leicester City Council’s Public Health and Health Integration Scrutiny Commission on Monday January 19th, Zuffar Huq, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Evington Ward described flu vaccination up-take rates in the City of Leicester as ‘atrociously bad’.
The figures show that not only was the up-take rate of City residents over the age of 65 a lowly 59.7 per cent when the national average stood at 69.6 per cent (74.9% in the year 2024/2025), but that the city also had low up-take rate for clinically vulnerable people under-65, pregnant women and babies, which raises concerns about protection levels among those most at risk.
Councillor Haq is also quoted as saying “We need to do more work with all residents in Leicester, with more communities, to make sure that we can reach people.” He pointed out that many people are unaware of the options available to obtain vaccinations, and they are discouraged from doing so by long wait times for GP appointments, which he says is a fundamental issue.
Those in vulnerable groups can obtain vaccinations at a range of locations, including their GP practice, community pharmacies, walk-in clinics at roving health units, antenatal services, school programmes and specialist clinics.
A spokesperson for the NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (ICB) said efforts had been made to improve access and uptake and is reported to have said: “We have offered vaccinations in a wide variety of places across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland this winter, making it easy for people to get protected………“Uptake has increased across our population, with strong improvements in school‑age flu vaccination, and we continue to encourage everyone who is eligible to take up the offer available to them.
The likely side effects from flu vaccination are mild and include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, slight fever or chills and muscle aches or tiredness. For vaccine given by nasal spray (used mainly with children) a runny nose, nasal congestion and headache or low-grade fever.
In very rare cases a severe allergic reaction (1 per 1–2 million doses) which is treatable and vaccination centres are trained and equipped for this, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome which is an extremely rare neurological condition and is more common after a bout of full-blown flu (Flu infection itself increases the risk of GBS far more than the vaccine) so vaccination reduces overall GBS risk by preventing flu. with some seasons showing no increased risk of either.
There is no credible evidence linking flu vaccination to autism, long-term immune damage, chronic illness or infertility
The benefits of being vaccinated include reduced chance of getting severe flu, lower risk of hospitalisation, complications and flu-related death and even if you still catch flu, illness tends to be milder and for a shorter duration.
Sources:
1-https://www.leicester.news/leicester-vaccination-rates-described-as-atrociously-bad/?ref=inside-leicester-newsletter
2-https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-report-30-october-2025-week-44?utm
3-https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-report-13-november-2025-week-46?utm
6-https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-report-27-november-2025-week-48?utm
