Winter vaccinations
For some, flu and COVID-19 are unpleasant. But for many, particularly those with certain health conditions, older people and pregnant women, they can be very dangerous and even life-threatening.
Every winter, thousands die from flu and people can still get very ill or die from COVID19. Catching both viruses over winter increases the risk of serious illness even further.
Vaccines are our best protection against flu and COVID-19. Over the last few years, they have kept tens of thousands of people out of hospital and helped to save countless lives.
In winter, flu and COVID-19 spread more easily as we spend more time indoors. Getting these vaccines ahead of winter are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe and get ‘winter strong’.
In line with expert advice, the NHS is offering flu and COVID-19 vaccines to those at greater risk of serious illness this autumn and winter. This year, the offer was brought forward based on expert advice following the emergence of the new BA.2.86 COVID-19 variant. It is important to get your vaccines
Those who can get both vaccines through the NHS will include everyone aged 65 and above, pregnant women, care home residents, people aged 6 months old or above with certain health conditions, frontline health and care staff, unpaid carers and household
contacts of those at higher risk.
If eligible, you will receive a text from The Rothbury Practice inviting you to receive your vaccinations. You are encouraged to come forward as soon as you can due to the risk of the new variant, for the best possible protection. It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or COVID-19 before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year. We also hope to offer drop-in clinics for both vaccines which patients will be informed of as and when this hapens.
The flu vaccine is also offered to most children including all aged 2 and 3 years old and school aged children from reception to year 11, as well as those with underlying health conditions. The children’s flu vaccine is usually given as a quick and painless spray up
the nose.
Children should get the flu vaccine as soon as they can for their protection and to help stop the virus spreading to others. Children aged under 5 have one of the highest hospitalisation rates for flu.
Last year, more than 6,000 under-5s in England were hospitalised by flu, and many more needed care in accident and emergency. The vaccine reduces a child’s chance of needing hospital care for flu by around two-thirds.
Both vaccines have a good safety and effectiveness record. Their side-effects are generally mild and do not last for more than a few days. We encourage you to get both vaccines in the same visit where possible, to get protected against both viruses in just a few minutes. If this is not possible, it is better to get each vaccine as soon as you can rather than waiting.
You can find out the latest information about both vaccines by visiting www.nhs.uk/seasonalvaccinations.
Booking a vaccine is quick and easy, it usually takes just a few minutes.
Protect yourself this winter. Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. Get winter strong.
