Eligible residents who have not yet come forward for their flu and Covid-19 vaccines are being encouraged by Wiltshire Council to do so ahead of Christmas and the new year.

Flu and Covid-19 cases are expected to peak during the festive season, and the council is urging people to get ‘winter strong’ in preparation.

Eligible people for these vaccines include pregnant women, those aged 65 or over, carers, people with certain health conditions including a learning disability, those who live with someone with a weakened immune system, people living in a care home and frontline health or social care workers. 

The council says that the children’s nasal spray flu vaccine is also now offered every year to protect children against the flu.

It is for children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023, all primary school children and some secondary school-aged children. 

Those eligible for an NHS flu vaccine can contact their GP surgery for an appointment, book an appointment online or in the NHS app, or find a pharmacy that offers the vaccination.

For a Covid-19 vaccine, those eligible can book an appointment online or go to a walk-in Covid-19 vaccination site.

Official NHS advice states: “It's important to get your seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations if you're at higher risk of getting seriously ill from these illnesses.”