This winter, several vaccines are being offered to help protect people against seasonal respiratory illnesses.

All eligible patients should have had a text message invitation - just follow the link in your text message to book or contact the practice. If you're eligible for a vaccine and are in the practice for another reason, please ask during your appointment or at reception.

Flu

The flu vaccine helps protect against influenza (flu).

Flu is not just a heavy cold. Flu occurs every year, usually in the winter, which is why it’s sometimes called seasonal flu. It’s a highly infectious disease with symptoms that come on very quickly. Colds are much less serious and usually start gradually with a stuffy or runny nose and a sore throat. A bad bout of flu can be much worse than a heavy cold.

You can get your vaccine if you:

• are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2027)
• are aged 18 to 64 and have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant – you can have a flu vaccine during any stage of pregnancy
• live in a care home
• are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• live with someone who has a weakened immune system
• are aged 16 or over and sleeping rough or staying in a homeless hostel or night shelter

Covid 19

The COVID-19 vaccine is offered on the NHS to people at highest risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19:

• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in care homes for older adults
• people who are immunosuppressed (aged 6 months and over)