Measles
… is a disease that spreads really easily. It can be passed on through coughing, sneezing or being close to somebody who is ill. The virus can stay alive and infect others for up to two hours in the air. Infected people can pass it on from four days before a rash shows, to four days after it comes up. The MMR vaccine is FREE and SAFE. It is never too late to protect yourself and those around you. Call us now to book your vaccination.
Keeping well this winter
As the days get colder, it is important to think about ways you can keep well over the winter months. Viruses can spread much more easily in winter, and the colder weather can make some health conditions worse. Free NHS vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your family this winter. They help keep you healthy and reduce your chances of becoming seriously ill or needing hospital care.
Flu vaccine
The free NHS flu vaccine is available to people most at risk from flu, and their carers. Flu viruses change each year, so you need to get vaccinated every year if you can. You can get the free NHS vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026 are aged 6 months to 64 years old with certain long-term health conditions
- are aged 2 to 3 years old
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines are for people at highest risk of serious illness. This includes:
• people aged 75 or over
• people aged 6 months to 74 years old who have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
• residents in an older adult care home
RSV vaccine
People aged 75 to 79, as well as people who turned 80 after 1 September 2024, are eligible for a vaccine to protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV affects the airways and lungs and can cause pneumonia, leading to thousands of hospitalisations each year. If you are in this eligible group, you only need the RSV vaccine once. Contact your GP practice to book, or you may be able to get the vaccine at a pharmacy in some areas. The RSV vaccine should be given separately from the flu vaccine. Pregnant women will also be offered the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks of pregnancy (for each pregnancy) to protect mum and baby.
Other vaccines
If you’re aged 65 or over, or have certain health conditions, you’re eligible for a pneumococcal vaccine that protects against a major cause of pneumonia. This can be given at the same time as flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Ask your GP practice for more information. If you’re aged 70 to 79, severely immunosuppressed (and aged over 18), or turned 65 on or after1 September 2023, you can get a shingles vaccine to reduce your risk of getting the disease. Contact your GP practice to arrange this.
You can find out more about all NHS vaccines at https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/