The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is urging Londoners to get their flu jab and Covid-19 booster shot to protect themselves, their loved ones and the NHS this winter.
Sadiq, who was invited by his GP to receive his booster and flu jab at a pharmacy in Tooting last week, is also urgently calling on the Government to step up efforts now to slow the spread of the virus. This includes making face coverings mandatory and enforceable by the police on all public transport, improving ventilation in schools and busy public indoor settings and increasing the support available to those who have to self-isolate.
His calls come as figures show cases and hospital admissions continue to rise in London with recorded infection rates over half-term higher than they were this time last year.
More than 400 vaccination sites are currently open across London with NHS hospital hubs, GP practices, local pharmacies and midwifery services working across our city in the fight against the virus.
Those eligible for the free flu vaccine and Covid-19 booster jab are being urged to book their appointments as soon as possible in order to stay well this winter and avoid adding pressure to London’s A&Es and hospital beds. Parents of young Londoners aged 12-15-year-old are also being urged to book children in for their first dose of the vaccine which is now being offered out of school.
The Mayor’s call comes as health experts warn of a significant risk of flu surging this winter alongside rising Covid-19 cases with the UK Health Security Agency warning that those who catch flu and Covid at the same time this winter are twice as likely to die than those who only have Covid-19.
Colder weather and fewer measures being in place to stop the virus spreading combined with increased social contact indoors after-dark this winter could mean thousands more Londoners need hospital treatment for Covid-19.
The Mayor is asking Londoners to help prevent the spread of the virus by wearing a face mask in crowded and enclosed areas, sticking to good habits like regularly washing hands and taking a PCR test if they show any symptoms of the virus.
In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, the Mayor spoke about the importance of community pharmacy, women’s safety, security of MPs and climate change.
Community Pharmacy
The Mayor told us, “I've just had my flu jab at a community pharmacy. Pharmacists have been fantastic during this pandemic and community pharmacy in particular, when GP practices weren't seeing patients face to face, where hospitals weren't seeing patients. When dentists were closed down, our pharmacies were open. Our community pharmacies had been the unsung heroes of this pandemic. I was really pleased and proud to go to my local pharma to receive my Covid booster jab as my flu jab as well. I want to thank them for the amazing work they've done. That's why it's so important for government support pharmacists, because the primary care suffering the problems, it's winter, more and more people will rely upon the pharmacist they trust, the health care services.”
Women’s Safety
When asked about the recent mishaps relating to women’s safety, including spiking at night clubs, cold blooded murders and women losing faith in police officers, Sadiq Khan said, “Well, it's really important that we tackle the issue of the epidemic of violence against girls. It's really important to make sure we're going to girls, which is also built to tackle the behaviour of boys and men. We've got to make sure that we have laws.
“For example, misogyny should be a hate crime. Harassment of women in a public space should be a criminal offense, but we also need to invest in the police. But also we need to make sure the police are properly scrutinised. That's why I work and the independent review that they will use will do that piece of work of legal inquiry of the Secretary as ordered, we need to make sure we get proper financial support for London. We're lobbying the government for proper long term financial skills. But in the meantime, the good news is that the Night Tube will return. Next month in November two of the lines are the Victoria line, which goes from a daughter south of the Central line, which goes from east to west. It's really important to do what we can to make the public realm safe for women and women to have self imposed curfews and to change their lifestyle. Because of that, we're going to tackle the perpetration of men to do what we can to keep our city safe.”
Encourage minority communities or encourage women to get involved in public service
Furthermore, Khan also acknowledged that it is very important that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic hold key positions of power and influence - who encourage minority communities or encourage women to get involved in public service, politics and representative activities.
Sharing his sentiment on the recent and unfortunate killing of Sir David Amess and the questions of security among MPs and people in power, Sadiq elaborated, “But when you see the situation where politicians are having threats to their life, you have to encourage youngsters to get involved in politics. That's why it's so important that we keep our politicians safe, and don’t lose what's special about our democracy, our ability to mix and mingle with constituents, have surgeries, where constituents can come in, and share their problems with the MP or counselors or the man to solve those problems. So we've got to evolve and adapt to make sure our politicians are safe. But also make sure we don't lose what's special about our democracy. And it's really important that people realise that there are bad people who make threats to politicians, because of the color of their skin, or because of the gods they worship. We're going to talk about that and address those problems.”
London and Climate Change
According to Mr Khan, the poorest Londoners least likely to own a car, who suffered the worst consequences. “By expanding the universe, 18 times bigger than the previous years, it covers a population twice the size of Paris, will have horrible luxuries benefiting for cleaner. This is an issue that affects young children who have stunted lungs, adults with a whole host of health issues from asthma, from cancer to dementia of heart disease. We hope it'll make a big difference,” Khan told the newsweekly.
