With two viruses in circulation this year, it is more important than ever for those who are eligible to have the COVID-19 booster and the flu vaccines this winter.
Vaccines have helped us build a wall of defence and return to a more normal way of life – everyone eligible should boost their immunity with COVID-19 booster vaccines and flu vaccines as winter approaches.
Being vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 means protecting yourself so you can be there for your family, friends, and those you care for.
COVID-19 booster
The COVID-19 booster is an additional vaccine dose for those who have previously received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. In particular, it is for people who are the most likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19 to give them the best possible protection.
The COVID-19 booster programme is now running in south east London. If you are eligible, you can book your COVID-19 booster dose online if it’s been 5 months (152 days) since you had your 2nd dose. Alternatively, you can also get your booster dose at a walk-in clinic.Book your booster onlineFind your nearest walk-in clinic
See below for a summary of who is eligible for the COVID-19 booster dose:
- Those living in residential care homes for older adults
- All adults aged 40 years or over
- Frontline health and social care workers
- All those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 (as set out in the Green Book) and adult carers
- Adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals
Winter flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. It’s offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu. The best time to have the flu vaccine is in the autumn or early winter before flu starts spreading. But you can get the vaccine later.
Many patients who are eligible for a COVID-19 booster will also be eligible for a FREE flu jab. If you are offered both the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccines, it’s safe to have them at the same time.
You can have the NHS flu vaccine at: your GP surgery, a pharmacy offering the service, your midwifery service if you’re pregnant, a hospital appointment. If you do not have your flu vaccine at your GP surgery, you do not have to tell the surgery. This will be done for you.
More information on the flu vaccine
Keeping well this winter
Cold weather can make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications, especially if you are 65 or older, or if you have a long-term health condition.
Head to nhs.uk/winterhealth to learn more about how you can keep well this winter.
