- 1780 people hospitalised in Somerset as a result of Flu, RSV and COVID (September 2023 – March 2025)
- New chicken pox vaccination programme for children launches January 2026
As families have enjoyed the long school holidays and are planning to go back to school, the NHS and our partners in Somerset have been working hard over the summer to prepare for winter so we can provide you with the care you need.
We know that helping as many as possible get the vaccinations they need, is our best protection against the spread of flu, COVID and RSV this winter, which can have such a devastating effect on those who are most vulnerable and our health and care staff, who then become ill and are unable to work.
Caroline Upton, Vaccination Service Lead for Somerset said “Every winter we see the impact of flu, COVID and RSV on our communities and hospitals. 1780 people in Somerset were hospitalised, over the past couple of winters, as a result of having flu, RSV and COVID, sadly some of whom died”
“Vaccination is the single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones, and it only takes a few minutes.
“By getting your vaccinations, you’re not only reducing your own risk of serious illness but also helping to protect the NHS and those who care for you”.
Winter vaccinations
- Booking open on the 1st of September for Covid and Flu
- Most appointments start on the 1st of October.
You may be invited by the NHS via text, letter or the NHS App. Booking will also be available online via the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/
Vaccines will be available at GP surgeries, pharmacies and vaccination clinics across Somerset.
Flu
From 1 September 2025
Eligibility
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025
- primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6) At school
- secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11) At school
- all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years
From October 2025:
Eligibility
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza chapter 19 )
- 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
- All frontline health care workers, including both clinical and non-clinical staff
- 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
COVID-19 vaccination
Eligibility
- adults aged 75 years and over
- residents in a care home for older adults
- individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book, the UK Health Security Agency’s information on immunisation against infectious disease
RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill
Contact your GP for an appointment
Eligibility
- It’s available on the NHS for pregnant women from 28 weeks’ gestation, and adults aged 75 to 79 years old, including those who turn 75 on or after 1 September 2024. Or who have turned 80 after 1 September 2024.
There will also be lots of wider support available this winter to help you look after your health.
Dr Robert Weaver, GP and Deputy Chief Medical Officer at NHS Somerset, said: “Our ‘Live Well This Winter’ campaign is about empowering people to take simple but effective steps to protect their health and that of their loved ones during the colder months.
“Whether it’s staying up to date with vaccinations, maintaining physical activity through regular walks, accessing nutritional support from local food banks, or using health apps to manage long-term conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure – there are many resources available to help you stay well this winter.
“We also ask the public to help us provide the best possible care by choosing the right service for their needs. Using NHS 111, community pharmacies, and urgent treatment centres for non-emergency concerns helps ensure our hospital emergency departments and GP appointments remain available for those who need urgent and emergency care most.”
Support available includes;
- Somerset Council’s Household Grants to help with winter living expenses for lower income households
- Somerset Warm Hubs there to provide advice, support and companionship, food larders and clubs
- Healthy food advice and free food through food banks, food clubs and larders
- Support to manage lifestyle conditions such as high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes 2
- Lifestyle advice and support through organisations like SASP who provide free exercise classes and tips and walking clubs
- Community pharmacy for prescriptions through Pharmacy First and help with 40 common conditions including colds and childhood conditions
To find out more about how NHS Somerset and our partners are helping you keep well over winter please visit our winter website page.
