Winter vaccines
Book your winter vaccines
Viruses such as Covid-19 and flu spread more easily in winter and can lead to serious illness.
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, those around you and the NHS.
You can get a free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over (or will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
- have certain long-term health conditions
- 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.
Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.
You can get a winter Covid-19 vaccine if you:
- are aged 75 or over (or will be 75 by 31 January 2026)
- are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
- live in a care home for older adults.
If you're aged 75 to 79 (or turned 80 after 1 September 2024) you'll also be eligible for a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine. RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs that can lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions.
If you or someone you know falls into these categories, book your vaccines now.
Getting your vaccines is free, available across Medway and appointments can take less than 10 minutes.
Where you can get vaccines
Vaccines are available across Medway including doctor (GP) surgeries, pharmacies and walk-in-clinics.
Midwifery services can offer the flu jab for pregnant women.
For more information on vaccines and where to get them visit the Integrated Care Board website.
Getting your flu vaccine if you are not eligible for free treatment
If you are not eligible for a free flu jab, you can still pay for a jab at your local pharmacy (subject to availability). Speak to your local pharmacy for more details.
Ways to stay safe
The colder temperatures can increase the risk of the winter viruses spreading. It's important to:
- keep warm when you are outside
- wash hands often with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds
- use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze
- bin used tissues as soon as possible.