Winter vaccinations for people with long-term health issues
Keep protected with winter vaccinations if you or your child has a long-term health issue.
Winter viruses can be very dangerous, even life threatening, for people with certain health conditions.
They are at most risk of becoming seriously unwell, and should have the flu vaccination this year. The Covid vaccine is also available for people who are immunosuppressed.
Find out more about flu and Covid.
Vaccines are tested and safe. They are the best way to protect you and your family from serious illness.
What winter vaccinations are available
- Flu – for people with a long term health condition – available from early-October
- Covid – for people who are immunosuppressed – available from early-October
It is better to get vaccinated as soon as you can to keep protected over winter. To keep protected, you need to get the vaccines every year.
Who can get them?
Children and adults aged 6 months and over who are most at risk of becoming seriously unwell.
This includes people who have a lung or heart condition, kidney or liver disease, problems with the brain or nerves, a learning disability, diabetes or a severe mental illness. It also includes people with weakened immune systems, such as those having cancer treatment.
A full list is on the NHS website, but talk to your GP practice, local pharmacy or hospital consultant if you are unsure.
How do I get them?
Speak to your GP practice or local pharmacy.
This year it is even easier to keep protected. If you are eligible for flu and Covid (if you are immunosuppressed) you will be able to get them at the same time.
If this is not possible, you should get each vaccination as soon as you can ahead of winter, rather than waiting.
Other vaccinations
You may also be eligible for other vaccinations to keep protected this winter including the:
Vaccine FAQs
Yes, vaccines are safe and tested to meet high safety standards.
It often takes many years for a vaccine to make it through the trials and tests it needs to pass for approval.
Yes. Viruses change and protection fades over time, so it is important to top up your protection if you are eligible.
You may experience mild side effects after your vaccination. This is because vaccines work by triggering a response in a person’s immune system.
Most side effects are very mild and only last a short time.
More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) are very rare and usually happen within minutes.
The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately in the unlikely event that you have an allergic reaction.
Vaccines do not interfere with most prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Talk to your GP practice if you have specific questions about your medical care.
Vaccinations are important year round
Find out about the vaccinations that are available year round to help keep you and your family protected.
Visit our vaccination hub Visit our vaccination hub