People living in Dorset are being reminded to find out which vaccinations they are eligible for ahead of the coming winter months.

Vaccinations are the most effective way of protecting yourself against potentially life-threatening diseases including COVID-19 and flu.

Children and pregnant women are the first in line for the annual flu vaccination programme this September.  There has also been the launch of the new respiratory syncyial virus (RSV) vaccination for people aged 75-79 and those who are pregnant. The COVID-19 and flu vaccinations for all eligible people begin 3 October.

A new dedicated webpage has been launched by the local NHS to help people find out more about vaccinations, why they are important and what they are eligible for.

Alongside this, there is a dedicated area for children – staywelldorset.nhs.uk/kids.

This has been developed with the aim to bring accessible information about the flu vaccination to primary school children and their parents or carers across the county.

Dr Paul Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Dorset said,

“The lead up to winter normally sees a big push to protect people against flu and COVID-19 and this year is no different with groups who may be at risk of developing complications being offered a vaccination.

“However, vaccinations don’t end with a simple ‘flu jab’ and many people may not be aware they can get protected from a range of other diseases including RSV, whooping cough, shingles or mumps.

“Our new webpage has been developed to keep people of all ages and backgrounds informed and encourage them to accept the offer of protection if they are eligible.”

People who are eligible for a flu, COVID-19 or RSV vaccination will be contacted directly by the NHS. This might be by text message, letter or phone call. It’s important that you make sure your contact details are up-to-date with your general practice surgery.

You will be invited to either book an appointment, or you will be offered an appointment to attend. If you are unable to attend an appointment that is offered to you, please make contact to rearrange.

The vaccination webpage can be found at www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk/vaccinations.

Further information

This winter, the NHS free flu vaccination is available for:

From 1 September 2024:

  • pregnant women
  • all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
  • school aged children and young people (from Reception to Year 11)
  • all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years

From 3 October 2024:

  • those aged 65 years and over, (including those due to turn 65 of years on or before 31 March 2025)
  • those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza Chapter 19)
  • those in a care home
  • carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
  • close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
  • frontline health and care staff

From 3 October, the COVID-19 vaccination is available for:

  • those aged 65 years and over, (including those due to turn 65 of years on or before 31 March 2025)
  • pregnant women
  • are aged 6 months to 64 years and have an increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 because of a health condition or treatment
  • people who live in a care home for older adults
  • frontline health and care staff

Respiratory syncyial virus (RSV)

From September 2024 the NHS will offer the RSV vaccination to protect adults between the age of 75- 79 and pregnant women.

RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. It can make you become wheezy or short of breath and lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions.

There is no specific treatment, and most infections will get better by themselves.

Every year thousands of older adults need hospital care for RSV, and some of them will die.

It can be more severe in people with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system.

This infection is common in young children but is most serious for small babies and for older people.

For more information visit www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk/vaccinations/