Boost your immune system this winter

Published: 11 November 2021

This year’s Flu vaccine and Covid-19 vaccines are now available. Due to social distancing over the COVID-19 pandemic, less of us will have built up natural immunity to the flu. This therefore means that more people are likely to get flu this winter.

If you become ill with COVID-19 and flu at the same, research this year has shown that you are more like to become seriously ill. By getting the vaccine, you are given protection against flu and COVID-19 which will protect you and those around you from serious illness. 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.

The NHS is currently offering free flu vaccines who meet certain criteria:

• 50 and over (including those who'll be 50 by 31 March 2022)
• have certain health conditions
• are pregnant
• are in long-stay residential care
• receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
• live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
• frontline health or social care workers

You can receive a flu vaccine from your GP surgery, your local pharmacy offering the service, a hospital appointment or if you are pregnant you may receive it from your midwifery. 

To find out more about the vaccine and where you can get yours this winter, visit the NHS website

Health