Getting your flu and COVID vaccines are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe this winter. Experts advise that those at greater risk will need extra protection this winter. For Covid-19 and flu, everyone aged 50 and over, people with certain health conditions that put them at risk and frontline health and care staff will be offered a vaccine. To protect against flu, additional groups most at risk of getting seriously ill from flu or of passing it on to others, such as pregnant women, young children, primary school aged and some secondary school aged children will be offered protection. COVID-19 and flu can be serious for those these groups and getting both COVID-19 and flu at the same time increases risk.
The NHS is offering COVID-19 vaccines over autumn to those eligible, starting with those at greatest risk. It is important people who are eligible come forward as soon as possible when it’s their turn, for extra protection ahead of winter, when viruses circulate most and can cause greatest harm. For maximum protection, your COVID vaccination must be at least three months after your previous dose. Based on expert guidance the NHS is offering vaccination to those at greatest risk first. The NHS will let people know when it is their turn to come forward for their COVID-19 vaccine and more information is available on the NHS website. Once invited, people can book their seasonal COVID-19 vaccine using the National Booking Service or by calling 119, or can find a local vaccination walk-in site.
Locally, Nidderdale Plus is continuing to support the Harrogate Vaccination Centre at the Yorkshire Showground with volunteer marshals, and if you would like to volunteer please get in touch with us at admin@nidderdaleplus.org.uk. Vaccination sessions also are continuing at the Memorial Hall in Pateley Bridge, run by Pateley Pharmacy.
The COVID-19 and the flu vaccine can be given on the same day and some people might get both vaccines at the same time. However, this may not always be possible, so we encourage everybody to get each vaccination as soon as they can, rather than waiting to get both at the same time. You can find out more about what vaccinations you may need, and information about how to book an appointment, by visiting www.nhs.uk/flujab and www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccine.
