Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations

For some, flu and COVID-19 are unpleasant. But for many, particularly those with certain health conditions, older people and pregnant women, they can be very dangerous and even life-threatening. Every winter, thousands die from flu and people can still get very ill or die from COVID-19. Catching both viruses over winter increases the risk of serious illness even further.

Vaccines are our best protection against flu and COVID-19. Over the last few years they have kept tens of thousands of people out of hospital and helped to save countless lives. In winter, flu and COVID-19 spread more easily as we spend more time indoors. Getting these vaccines ahead of winter are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe and ‘get winter strong’.  

If eligible, you can book a flu vaccine through your GP practice, local pharmacy, by downloading the NHS App or at www.nhs.uk/book-a-flu-vaccination. School-aged children will get their flu vaccine through schools and community venues and pregnant women may also be able to get the vaccine through their maternity services to help protect themselves and their baby. 

Seasonal COVID-19 vaccinations are available through the NHS App or at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination, which also allow those eligible to book both vaccines in one appointment. If you can’t get online, the free 119 number can make bookings for you at the same sites. 

Protect yourself this winter. Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. ‘Get winter strong’.

You can find out more information about both vaccines by visiting www.nhs.uk/flujab and www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccine.

Dangers of flu and COVID-19

• While flu and COVID-19 is unpleasant for most people it can be very dangerous and even life threatening for some, particularly people with certain health conditions, older people and pregnant women
• For those that are older, pregnant or with certain health conditions, catching flu can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia or can make existing conditions worse 
• Every winter, thousands die from flu and people can still become very ill or die from COVID-19
• Catching both viruses over winter increases the risk of serious illness even more
• In winter, flu and COVID-19 spread more easily as we spend more time indoors

Benefits of winter vaccines 

• Vaccines are our best protection against flu and COVID-19
• Over the last few years winter vaccines have kept tens of thousands of people out of hospital and helped to save countless lives
• Getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines ahead of winter are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe and ‘get winter strong’.  
• Having your winter vaccines will reduce your risk of serious illness
• If you have your winter vaccines, you’re more likely to have milder symptoms and recover quicker if you do catch the viruses
• As well as protecting you and the people around you, vaccination also helps the NHS by reducing the number of people that are likely to get seriously ill from catching a virus and needing to go to hospital
• All COVID-19 and flu vaccines offered by the NHS have a good safety record. They have been tested on thousands of people across the world and have met the strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness outlined by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). 

How to get your winter vaccines 

• If eligible, you can book a flu vaccine through your GP practice, local pharmacy, by downloading the NHS App or at www.nhs.uk/book-a-flu-vaccination
• If eligible, you can book your seasonal COVID-19 vaccinations through the NHS App or at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination, which also allow those eligible to book both winter vaccines in one appointment. 
• If you can’t get online, the free 119 number can make bookings for you at the same sites. 
• The JCVI has advised that, for most people, it is fine to have the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. 
• Where possible, we encourage you to get both vaccines in the same appointment to get protected against both viruses in just a few minutes. If this is not possible, it is better to get each vaccine as soon as you can rather than waiting.