Your guide to getting winter vaccinations in Somerset
People across Somerset can now book flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations as the NHS rolls out additional protection for those most at risk ahead of winter.
Booking is open, with over 10,000 appointments made for the first week of the autumn/winter NHS vaccination programme in the county.
Anyone eligible (see below) for the vaccinations can now book via the NHS website, by downloading the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free if they cannot get online. The vaccinations are available from 3 October.
In addition, the NHS will be sending out invitations to those eligible to get their jabs, while GP practices and other local NHS services will also be contacting people to offer the vaccines.
These vaccinations provide vital protection, helping to prevent serious illnesses and reduce hospital admissions during the busy winter months.
Shona Turnbull-Kirk, Associate Director for Health Equity Programmes and Resilience at NHS Somerset, said: “As we head into the colder months, COVID-19, flu and RSV can be dangerous for those at higher risk of severe illness.
“With winter approaching, it’s important to protect yourself and your loved ones by getting your vaccinations.
“I would encourage everyone eligible to book their vaccines as soon as possible, either online, through the NHS App, or by calling 119 if you can’t go online. You can also contact your GP practice or midwife for the flu and RSV vaccination.”
COVID-19 vaccination/booster
This year, based on the latest scientific evidence, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended the vaccination for:
Those eligible for an autumn COVID-19 booster are:
- all adults aged 65 years and over
- residents in a care home for older adults
- people aged 6 months to 64 years with underlying health conditions, as defined in the Green Book, including pregnant women
Flu vaccination
The Government has also decided that, as in previous years, the COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be offered to frontline health and social care staff, with staff in older adult care homes being offered the COVID-19 jab.
Flu season usually peaks in December and January, so starting adult vaccinations from October will ensure those most at risk are protected during the colder months when people gather indoors and viruses spread.
Flu vaccinations for children started in September for the new school year, to help stop the virus spreading, and pregnant women have been able to get their jab from 1 September.
The nasal flu vaccine is the most effective vaccine for children aged 2-17 years but if this is not suitable, a GP or practice nurse may be able to offer a flu vaccine injection as an alternative.
In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:
- pregnant women
- all children aged two or three years on 31 August 2024
- primary (reception to Year 6) and secondary (Years 7 to 11) school-aged children – parents/carers need to consent the form from the child’s school
- all children in clinical risk groups aged from six months to less than 18 years
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book)
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by Those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.
- frontline health and social care workers and staff in care homes for older adults
RSV vaccination
For the first time, the NHS is also offering vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of coughs and colds which can be dangerous to older people and young children. The jab, introduced in September, is available to people aged 75 to 79, and is being offered to pregnant women from 28 weeks, to protect their child.
Women should speak to their maternity service about receiving their vaccine from 28 weeks, and ideally before 36 weeks. Alternatively, pregnant women can be vaccinated by request at their local GP practice, while older adults will be invited by their local GP practice.
For those adults eligible for both flu and COVID-19 vaccines, the NHS will make them available at the same time, giving the option to get protection from both viruses in one visit. However, it is more effective for people to have the RSV vaccination on a different day from any flu or COVID-19 vaccinations.
