Brightlingsea-based shanty group The Motley Crew has teamed up with the NHS in Suffolk and north east Essex to produce a song to remind people to get their flu vaccinations this winter.
Called Get A Jab And Keep The Bugs Away, the song marks the second collaboration with the local health trust – the first, in 2021, gained nationwide prominence for helping support COVID vaccination uptake.
The new song – using the tune of the traditional shanty John Kanakanaka – has been created by the 13 members of the crew with a focus on winter health and the importance of the most vulnerable people in our communities taking up the offer of a free NHS flu vaccination.
The song calls attention to the fact that flu isn’t just a bad cold – it can cause serious health concerns to some people and can be very easily spread. The lyrics point out that everyone eligible can very easily get their jab at a walk-in clinic, pharmacy or at their own GP surgery.
David Bridle, the crew’s bosun, said: “We were delighted to get the call to help our local NHS promote the campaign – especially as we’ve all had the flu jab. It’s been a fun song to write and record and we’ll be sure to sing it at our gigs this winter.”
Ed Garratt, chief executive of the Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, said: “The Motley Crew is such a talented group which did so much to support us during the COVID pandemic. I want to thank the group for all their hard work and support.”
Last week, NHS England called on eligible adults to get their jab as soon as possible to stamp out the early wave of flu hitting the NHS more than a month earlier this year. It follows the biggest flu season in Australia’s history – often an accurate predictor of what is around the corner for people in England.
You can listen to Get A Jab And Keep The Bugs Away and watch the accompanying video, which was filmed in Harwich during the town’s annual shanty festival in Octover, via YouTube.
• For further information on flu vaccinations, visit www.sneevaccine.org.uk, which has all the information on vaccinations, has been included in the song
