Keep yourself and your loved ones strong and healthy this winter

For some, flu or Covid-19 can be very dangerous and even life-threatening. Flu and Covid-19 vaccines reduce the risk of serious illness in colder months. Book your vaccine by Thursday 19 December.

Hear from Dr. Mohan about why flu and covid vaccines can help keep you and your friends and family strong and healthy this winter.

The NHS is encouraging those eligible to take up the offer of vaccination to boost their protection ahead of winter when respiratory viruses are usually at their peak. Not only can vaccines save lives, they can reduce hospital admissions and ease the pressure on the NHS. In the run-up to winter getting vaccinated is one of the simplest things that can be done to stay well and help ensure you don’t miss important dates like a landmark celebration or a trip away with family or school.

Anyone eligible can book via the NHS website, the NHS app or by calling 119 for free. The flu vaccine can also be booked by searching online for a local pharmacy and there are walk in sites available to get the Covid-19 vaccine.

People eligible for the flu vaccine include over-65s, pregnant women and children aged two or three years on 31 August 2024, those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups and those in long-stay residential care homes.

Those eligible for a covid booster include people aged 65 years and over, anyone aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group and residents in a care home for older adults.

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) jab is also available to those aged 75 to 79 and to pregnant women from 28 weeks to protect their child.