If you have a long-term health condition, winter viruses such as flu can make you seriously unwell.
Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself. If you’re eligible, you should have your flu vaccination this year. People who are immunosuppressed may also be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination.
Flu vaccination
You may be at greater risk of becoming seriously ill from flu if you have a long-term health condition, including:
- a lung condition, such as COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis or some types of asthma
- a heart condition, such as heart failure, coronary heart disease or congenital heart disease
- diabetes, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- kidney disease, including chronic kidney disease
- liver disease, such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis
- a neurological condition, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, motor neurone disease, dementia, or if you have had a stroke
- a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment, such as chemotherapy, some medicines that suppress the immune system, or HIV
- a condition affecting your spleen, including sickle cell disease, or if you have had your spleen removed
- severe obesity, with a BMI of 40 or above
- adrenal insufficiency, such as Addison’s disease
This is not a complete list. Some other health conditions may also mean you are at higher risk from flu. If you are not sure whether you are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine, speak to your GP practice or community pharmacist.
If you’re eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:
- book a flu vaccination appointment online or in the NHS App
- find a pharmacy that offers free flu vaccination
- contact your GP surgery to book an appointment
Some people may be able to get vaccinated through their maternity service or care home, or through their employer if they’re a frontline health or social care worker.
Covid-19 vaccination
You may be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine if you have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment. This can include if you:
- have or had blood cancer, such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma
- have had an organ transplant, bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant
- have HIV
- have a genetic disorder that affects your immune system, such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
- are having or recently had chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiotherapy
- are taking steroid medicine (depending on the dose)
- are having long-term immunosuppressive treatment for a condition such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), scleroderma or psoriasis
This list is a summary and does not include everything. Speak to your local pharmacy, GP surgery or specialist if you’re not sure if you’re eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
If you’re eligible for the winter COVID-19 vaccine, you can:
- book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online or in the NHS App now
- go to a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site
Some people may be able to get vaccinated at a local service, such as a community pharmacy or GP surgery, or at a care home for older adults. You do not need to wait for an invitation before booking an appointment.
Other vaccinations
You may also be eligible for other vaccinations to keep protected this winter including the following: