November 15th 2023.
As winter quickly approaches, now is the time to think about getting your vaccinations. Every winter, thousands of people die and hundreds of thousands more need hospital treatment after contracting flu and COVID-19. However, these deaths and hospital admissions could be prevented if more people were vaccinated. Immunisation not only prevents many people from catching these viruses, but it also lessens the severity of symptoms should they become ill. It also helps to protect loved ones from catching the virus.
Millions of people in England are entitled to the free vaccinations against flu and COVID-19 either at a GP surgery or local pharmacy. Last winter, the flu vaccine saved 25,000 people from hospitalisation. It’s easy to dismiss flu and COVID-19 as minor illnesses, but they can both be life-threatening. More than 14,000 people died from the flu virus last winter, which is more than those who lost their lives to COVID-19 over the same period.
For certain groups, catching either illness can be dangerous and life-threatening, so they should get vaccinated. These groups include people with underlying illnesses, pregnant women, young children, and people aged 65 and above. People with underlying illnesses, such as chronic heart, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or neurological condition like Parkinson’s, are much more likely to die from flu if they have not been vaccinated.
It’s important to get the vaccines as soon as possible. The NHS is offering the vaccines through booked appointments or walk-ins at thousands of sites across the country. You can book your free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations online by visiting nhs.uk/wintervaccinations or on the NHS App. You can also call 119 for free if you cannot get online. Flu jabs can also be booked directly through your GP practice or local pharmacy.
The vaccines have been rigorously tested and side effects are usually mild and don’t last more than a few days. It takes around 10 to 14 days to become fully effective, so you should get it as soon as possible. All eligible adults should get immunised every winter, especially if you fall into an at-risk group. Everyone should book their vaccines, as even if you were immunised last winter, you still need to top up your protection this year.
Those who are most vulnerable to the effects of flu and COVID-19 are eligible for free NHS vaccinations this winter. This includes people aged 65 and above, people aged six months to under 65 in clinical risk groups, pregnant women, carers, close contacts of immunocompromised individuals, frontline health and social care workers, and people in long-stay residential care homes.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Thomas Waite explains: ‘Vaccines have saved many lives over the years for both flu and more recently COVID-19. But we must not be complacent – infections will rise once again this winter, so it’s really important people get both their COVID-19 and flu vaccines if eligible. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself from serious illness and will help reduce pressure on the healthcare system.’
So book your vaccines now and be winter strong. It’s quick and easy and having the jab takes just a few minutes – you can even have both at the same time. Protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illnesses this winter.
As winter approaches, now is the time to book your vaccinations. With thousands of people dying and hundreds of thousands more needing hospital treatment every year after contracting flu and COVID-19, immunisation can be the difference between life and death. Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect you and your loved ones from these potentially deadly viruses.
For those in England, millions of people are entitled to free vaccines against flu and COVID-19 either at a GP surgery or local pharmacy. Last winter, the flu vaccine saved 25,000 people from hospitalisation alone. That's why it's important to book your vaccine as soon as possible; it only takes a few minutes and can protect you from serious illness or even death.
Certain groups are especially vulnerable to catching either of these illnesses, including people with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, young children, and those aged 65 and above. People in this group are much more likely to die from flu, and be seriously ill with COVID-19 if they have not been vaccinated. Last winter, more than 6,000 under-fives in England were hospitalised by flu.
The NHS is offering the vaccines through booked appointments or walk-ins at thousands of sites across the country. You can book your free flu and COVID-19 vaccines online, or contact your GP practice or local pharmacy. Most people can get their vaccines in one of these settings, and for certain groups, such as pregnant women, there may be other options available.
So don't wait - book your flu and COVID-19 vaccines now and make sure you and your family are protected this winter. Vaccines have saved many lives over the years, and they can save yours too.
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