Winter vaccinations and winter health

There are some things you can do to help yourself stay well in winter. This includes getting your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations

It's important to get your winter flu and COVID-19 vaccinations if you're eligible. Getting vaccinated every year will top up your protection and reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms.

Flu vaccination

The flu vaccine is offered on the NHS every year to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

Most eligible adults will be able to get the flu vaccine from 3 October 2024.

Some people can get vaccinated from September 2024, including anyone who is pregnant.

Find out more about the flu vaccine

COVID-19 vaccination

The COVID-19 vaccine is offered on the NHS every year to people at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

Eligible people will be able to get the winter COVID-19 vaccine from 3 October 2024.

The NHS will contact you if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccine

Other vaccinations

You may also be eligible for other vaccinations, including the:

pneumococcal vaccine (if you're aged 65 or over)
RSV vaccine (if you're pregnant or aged 75 to 79 – if you turned 80 on or after 1 September 2024, you're also eligible for the vaccine until 31 August 2025)

These vaccinations help protect against serious illnesses that are more common in the winter, including pneumonia.

Who's most at risk from cold weather?

Some people are more vulnerable to the effects of cold weather. This includes:

people aged 65 and older
babies and children under the age of 5
people on a low income (so cannot afford heating)
people who have a long-term health condition
people with a disability
pregnant women
people who have a mental health condition

Get advice if you feel unwell

If you're 65 or over, or in one of the other at-risk groups, it's important to get medical help as soon as you feel unwell.

You can get help and advice from:

a pharmacy – pharmacists can give treatment advice for a range of minor illnesses and can tell you if you need to see a doctor
your GP – you may be able to speak to a GP online or over the phone, or go in for an appointment if they think you need to
NHS 111 – go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111 if you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do

The sooner you get advice, the sooner you're likely to get better.

In an emergency, go to A&E immediately or call 999.

Keep warm and get help with heating

Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.

Heat your home to a temperature that's comfortable for you. If you can, this should be at least 18°C in the rooms that you regularly use, such as your living room and bedroom. This is particularly important if you have a health condition. It's best to keep your bedroom windows closed at night.

Check your heating and cooking appliances are safe. Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure they're working properly. You can find an engineer from the Gas Safe Register website.

Make sure your home is fire safe. For fire safety advice specific to you and your home, visit the online home fire safety check website to complete a safety check for your home.

Make sure you're getting all the help that you're entitled to. There are grants, benefits and advice available to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills.

Find out more about ways to save energy in your home from GOV.UK, or call the government helpline on 0800 444 202.

You can also find out more from GOV.UK about benefits and financial support if you're on a low income.

Look in on vulnerable neighbours and relatives

Remember that other people, such as older neighbours, friends and family members, may need some extra help over the winter. There's a lot you can do to help people who need support.

Icy pavements and roads can be very slippery, and cold weather can stop people from going out.

Keep in touch with your friends, neighbours and family and ask if they need any practical help, or if they're feeling unwell.

Make sure they're stocked up with enough food supplies for a few days, in case they cannot go out.

If they do need to go out in the cold, encourage them to wear shoes with a good grip and a scarf around the mouth to protect them from cold air, and to reduce their risk of chest infections.

Make sure they get any prescription medicines before the holiday period starts and if bad weather is forecast.

If they need help over the holiday period when the GP surgery or pharmacy is closed or they're not sure what to do, go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

If you're worried about a relative or elderly neighbour, contact your local council or call the Age UK helpline on 0800 678 1602 (8am to 7pm every day). You can find your local council on GOV.UK.

If you're concerned the person may have hypothermia, go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.