Protect your health this winter
Protect your health this winter
Viruses like flu and COVID-19 can spread easily in winter when we spend more time indoors. They can lead to serious illness, especially for those at higher risk. That’s why getting your seasonal vaccinations is a vital part of staying healthy.
Each autumn / winter, the NHS offers free flu and COVID-19 vaccines to eligible people. By getting vaccinated, you not only protect yourself, but you also help safeguard your loved ones and your wider community.
- The flu vaccination is offered for free to many people, including those with certain long-term health conditions, over 65s, carers and frontline health and social care workers. You can get your flu vaccination from your GP surgery, a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccinations, your care home or your employer. For more information about who is eligible and how to get the vaccine, visit the NHS flu vaccination webpage.
- Eligible people are also invited to have a COVID-19 vaccination each year in the spring and winter. That’s because the protection given by vaccinations fades after a while. This autumn, the COVID-19 vaccination will be offered to adults aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents and people with certain health conditions that make them immunosuppressed. Visit the NHS COVID-19 vaccination webpage for more information about health conditions that are eligible.
The RSV vaccine is offered throughout the year, but infections typically peak during winter so it’s important you get protected as soon as possible if you are eligible. The RSV vaccine is recommended to:
- pregnant women, from 28 weeks onwards.
- those aged 75 to 79 (if you turned 80 after 1 September 2024, you are still eligible for the vaccine).
If you are over 65, you are also eligible for a pneumococcal vaccine to protect against serious illnesses like pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis. You may also be eligible for the shingles vaccine.
Check with your GP surgery to find out which vaccinations you are eligible for this winter and how to get them.
Other medical support is available by contacting:
NHS 111
Pharmacies
NHS Health Check
A NHS Health Check is a free check-up delivered by health professionals for adults aged 40 to 74 to help lower the risk of developing health conditions. They are designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia.
Who can have and NHS Health Check?
- If you’re aged 40 to 74 and living in Staffordshire.
- If you do not have any pre-existing health conditions such as the following:
- stroke
- diabetes
- kidney disease
- a heart condition including diagnosed high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
Please contact Everyone health to find out if you are eligible for this service.
Book your NHS Health Check with Everyone Health Staffordshire:
Resources
There are also a lot of great sources of advice on staying well during the winter: