Winter vaccinations
If you're at greater risk from Covid-19 and flu it's important to get the extra protection of vaccination in winter.
For most people, flu is unpleasant, but for some it can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Covid-19 is also still making people very ill every day.
Both vaccines are safe and effective and are the best protection from these viruses. It's important to get both vaccines if you're invited.
You need to have the flu vaccine every year because the viruses that cause flu change every year. The best time to have the flu vaccine is in the autumn before flu starts spreading. But you can get the vaccine later.
Your immunity from the Covid-19 vaccine also reduces over time. This is why those at greater risk are being invited to get a booster.
From 1 September a new vaccination will also be offered as protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which is a frequent cause of coughs and colds. It’s very common and not usually serious but babies and older adults have a higher risk of getting seriously ill. The vaccine will be offered to people aged 75-79 and pregnant women from 28 weeks to help protect the baby after they’re born.
If you're eligible it's important to get these vaccinations ahead of winter when viruses circulate most and can cause the most harm.
You're eligible for a free flu vaccine if:
- you're aged 65 or over
- you're pregnant
- you have certain long-term health conditions
- you're in long-stay residential care
- you receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- you live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system
- you're a frontline health or social care worker
Children aged 2 or 3 years and school aged children (reception to year 11 ) will be offered a free vaccination. Two- and three-year-olds are vaccinated at their GP surgery. Children in schools will be offered a vaccination there by special immunisation teams and parents will be asked to consent before they go.
If you are eligible, you can have your free flu vaccination at your GP surgery or local pharmacy (who can vaccinate adults but not children).
High street pharmacies and most of the leading supermarkets also offer the vaccination to any adult at varying costs.
Having a flu jab will help to protect you and your baby. Pregnant women have a higher chance of developing complications if they get flu, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, which could cause serious illness in the mother and affect the baby.
It’s safe to have the vaccination at any stage of pregnancy and it will also pass some protection to the baby which will last for the first few months of their lives.
For more information on the flu jab in pregnancy, visit the NHS webpage and watch the below video animation.
This animation was developed by Dr Jo Parsons as part of a PhD at Coventry University, working in partnership with Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council.
2 and 3-year-old children are entitled to the free flu nasal spray. Contact your local GP to find out more.
This year the spray is also being offered to children in school from reception to year eleven.
To find out more about the nasal spray for children, including advice for parents and information for faith groups, visit the NHS children's flu vaccine page.
The vaccine does contain small traces of pork gelatine. If this is not suitable you can request an injectable vaccine instead.
When you’re caring for a partner, relative or friend who couldn’t get by without your help, keeping yourself well is really important.
That's why unpaid carers are offered a free NHS flu jab if they’re the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare would be at risk if they were ill. This includes people who receive Carers Allowance.
If you are the parent or carer of someone with a learning disability there’s a short film about why it’s important to get them vaccinated, where you can get vaccinated and reasonable adjustments.
There’s also a film for people with a learning disability to explain about flu vaccinations.
The Covid-19 vaccine is recommended if you are at increased risk from Covid-19 because:
- you are aged 65 or over
- you are pregnant
- you are aged 6 months to 64 years and have an increased risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19 because of a health condition or treatment
- you live in a care home for older adults.
If you are eligible, you will be able to get a winter Covid-19 vaccine from 3 October 2024 from:
- a walk-in Covid-19 vaccination site
- a local service, such as a community pharmacy or your GP surgery
- your care home (if you live in a care home).
You do not need to wait for an invitation before booking an appointment.
You can book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online or in the NHS App and you will need to book your vaccination before 20 December 2024.
More information is also available on the NHS website or NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire website.
The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis. It's recommended for people at higher risk of these illnesses, such as babies and adults aged 65 and over.
Your GP will contact you if you or your child are eligible for the pneumococcal vaccination and will be able to book or rearrange an appointment for you.
It is safe to have the vaccination at the same time as other vaccines like the flu vaccine.
There is more information on the NHS website: Pneumococcal vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
From 1 September the NHS will launch a new vaccination programme to protect against RSV, which is a frequent cause of coughs and colds. It’s very common and not usually serious but babies and older adults have a higher risk of getting seriously ill.
The vaccine will be offered to people aged 75-79 and pregnant women from 28 weeks to help protect the baby after they’re born.
If you are aged 75-79 your GP surgery will be in touch about being vaccinated. Please wait to be contacted.
From 1 September you can speak to your maternity service or GP surgery about getting your vaccination once you’re 28 weeks pregnant or more.
There is more information about the RSV vaccination on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/
Get the jab
If you fall into one of the at-risk categories, you can get the flu jab for free on the NHS from your local GP or community pharmacy (who can vaccinate adults but not children).
High street chemists and most of the leading supermarkets also offer the vaccination to any adult at varying costs.
For information about the flu vaccination in British Sign Language please watch this video:
NHS advice
For more information on flu vaccinations and staying well this winter, visit the NHS Stay Well webpages.
