‘Stay Strong’ Campaign Rallies Against Winter Viruses, Bolstering Health and Care Resilience
The UK Health Security Agency’s “Stay Strong” campaign, launched September 25, 2025, urges flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations for over-65s, pregnant women, immunosuppressed individuals, and frontline workers, with jabs starting September 23 and Diwali (October 20) as a key immunity deadline. Last winter’s 66% uptake for whooping cough among pregnant women left new-borns vulnerable, and a 15% norovirus spike by early October 2025 signals a tough season. Achieving 75% uptake could avert 20,000 excess deaths and save £1 billion in hospital costs, easing pressure on social care’s 92% occupancy rate.
Care Circle Network’s frontline members highlight inequities: under-75 care workers paying for COVID boosters sparked X outrage, with one post stating, “Carers risk their lives, yet get no support?” The £50 million Life Sciences Fund and September’s NHS “stress tests” bolster preparedness, while Wales’ £30 million warmth aid supports low-income families. Long COVID’s 1.5 million cases fuel economic inactivity, tying into September’s suicide prevention training. Birmingham’s 80% vaccine uptake, driven by local outreach, offers a model for Network communities to replicate.
Leaders can host pop-up clinics and share resources via Care Circle forums to boost trust and uptake, especially for 600,000 annual births. With the Urgent and Emergency Care Plan enhancing resilience, providers can leverage the £9 billion Better Care Fund to integrate services, ensuring vulnerable groups thrive through winter’s challenges.