Skip to content

This Site is Intended for Healthcare Professionals Only

Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People in Midlands asked to book winter vaccines by 14 December

Viruses that cause flu and Covid spread more easily as it gets colder, warns NHS England director, Roz Lindridge

The National Health Service (NHS) has reminded people in Midlands that online bookings for winter vaccines will be closed in two weeks.


Those who are eligible for flu and Covid vaccines are encouraged to go online or on the NHS App and book an appointment by 14 December 2023, and get vaccinated before 15 December.

It takes up to two weeks to build up maximum defences against the viruses, and so it is important to get the vaccines administered ahead of the winter holidays for better protection, the NHS said.

Viruses spread more easily as it gets colder and as we spend more time indoors in close contact, warned NHS England director, Roz Lindridge, who is responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands.

“As we all set to gather with friends and family over the festive and new year period, it’s best to get vaccinated now to make sure you are protected from getting sick,” she said.

People who have previously had a vaccination or been ill with flu or Covid-19 before should also get the vaccines as “immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year, so it is important you top up your protection,” Roz added.

After 14 December, those eligible may be able to book a Covid-19 vaccination directly with a pharmacy, or visit a walk-in site, but there will be fewer appointments and you may have to travel further, the NHS said.

Those eligible for a free flu vaccine can still contact their GP surgery or visit a pharmacy offering the service (If 18 or over).

Everyone aged 65 and over, pregnant women, and children aged 6 months and above with certain health conditions are eligible for both winter vaccines.

Care home residents, frontline health and social care staff, unpaid carers and household contacts of people with a weakened immune system, should also get vaccinated against flu and Covid.

The lifesaving NHS winter vaccination programme in the Midlands has delivered more than 2,900,000 flu jabs and over two million Covid vaccines to people most at risk since it began.

More For You

Call to improve inclusivity in clinical research

Ethnic minority adults continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials.

iStock

Call to improve inclusivity in clinical research

A NEW report has called for the participation of a wide range of diverse communities in clinical research to make sure that the medicines meet the needs of the UK's increasingly diverse population.

The report ‘Achieving inclusivity in clinical research’, prepared by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), highlights the long-standing challenges in ensuring diversity in clinical trials.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pharmacy students Learning Support Fund

Pharmacy students will be included in the Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses section of the NHS Learning Support Fund.

iStock

Pharmacy students to have access to Learning Support Fund

FOR the first time in England, pharmacy students will be eligible to reimburse travel and accommodation costs while attending placements.

The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that pharmacy students would finally be included in the Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) section of the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF).

Keep ReadingShow less
NHS for robotic surgery

Patients undergoing robotic surgery are able to recover quicker and be discharged sooner.

Pic credit: iStock

NHS pushes for robotic surgery to reduce waiting time, improve outcomes

The NHS is planning to step up robotic surgery over the next decade to reduce waiting time, help in the speed of recovery of patients, and shorter hospital stay.

As per the NHS projections, the number is expected to zoom from 70,000 in 2023/24 to half a million by 2035.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scotland's digital patient care record

The amendment ensures that every person who receives health care or a social service in Scotland will have a digital care record

Pic credit: iStock

Scotland's move to create digital patient care record hailed

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in Scotland has welcomed the decision of the Scottish Parliament to create an integrated digital patient care record.

The move came during a debate on the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill on Tuesday (10), when Jackie Baillie tabled an amendment to ensure that every person who receives health care or a social service in Scotland has a digital care record.

Keep ReadingShow less
A woman using a period tracker app

Cambridge University academics have flagged concerns over the safety of period tracker apps

Pic credit: iStock

Users of period tracking apps face privacy, safety risk, say experts

The report said the apps provide a "gold mine" of data for consumer profiling and warn that in the wrong hands it could pose a safety risk

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY academics have flagged concerns over the safety of period tracker apps and warned that the women using them could face privacy and safety risks.

Keep ReadingShow less