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Get protected this winter – check what vaccines you are eligible for
The NHS in Surrey is urging residents to protect themselves and others this winter by checking what vaccines they are eligible for as part of their annual winter health campaign.
As temperatures drop and seasonal illnesses begin to spread, it’s important for people, especially those at higher risk, to take steps to stay well.
Vaccinations are a safe and effective way to reduce the risk of serious illness and help ease pressure on local health services.
Last year 75.8% of people aged 65 and over had their flu vaccination protecting themselves and their loved ones from serious illness. This was above the national average of 74.9%.
This winter the programme to vaccinate even more people to protect communities and decrease demand on services this winter is well underway.
Dr Charlotte Canniff, a GP in West Surrey and Joint Chief Medical Officer for NHS Surrey Heartlands, said:
Winter can be a particularly dangerous time for many, especially older adults, people with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, and young children, and vaccines play a critical role in protecting not just the individual, but also their families and communities.
This year the flu, Covid and RSV vaccine will be available to those who meet the eligibility criteria.
We’re asking everyone to take a few minutes to check what vaccinations they’re entitled to this winter, particularly as the cohort for Covid has changed.
High vaccine uptake is vital in preventing serious illness and in preventing hospital admissions.
Having your seasonal vaccines not only protects you from serious illness and the likeliness of being admitted to hospital but it also eases pressure on our NHS services which face significant demand and pressures over the winter months.
From October 1 those aged 65 years and older, adults aged 18-65 in clinical risk groups, those in long stay residential care homes, carers and frontline health and social care workers in care settings will all be eligible to receive their flu vaccination.
Flu vaccinations for pregnant women, 2- and 3-year-olds, and school-age children began in September.
The Covid vaccination is available for those who are at highest risk of serious disease, which for Autum 2025 includes adults aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults and individuals aged 6 months to 74 years plus who are immunosuppressed.
The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine is available to pregnant women from 28 weeks gestation of pregnancy to help protect their baby from birth in the first few months of life and those aged 75-79 years old.
RSV accounts for around 30,000 hospitalisations of children under five in the UK annually and 20-30 infant deaths.
Protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community - check your eligibility and get vaccinated this winter.
Find out more about vaccinations