Flu
Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
- a sudden high temperature
- an aching body
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- a headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.
The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
- 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.
COVID vaccinations for autumn and winter 2024-25 have now ended.
Vaccinnations for those eligible will begin again in the spring, on 1 April 2025.
COVID-19
COVID-19 symptoms can include:
- a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- feeling tired or exhausted
- an aching body
- a headache
- a sore throat
- a blocked or runny nose
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick
The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu.
Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover.
For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer.
COVID – 19 vaccinations are now available and it is important to have protection this spring.
People can now top up their protection this spring by getting their COVID-19 vaccination.
if you are at higher risk of severe illness it is important that you top up your protection.
Those eligible for their spring vaccination are:
- adults aged 75 years and over
- residents in a care home for older adults
- individuals aged 6 months and over who have a weakened immune system.
You may be more likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19 due to a health condition, treatment or medicine, including
Health conditions and treatments that mean you're eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine
You may be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine if you have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment. This can include if you:
- have or had blood cancer, such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma
- have had an organ transplant, bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant
- have HIV
- have a genetic disorder that affects your immune system, such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
- are having or recently had chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiotherapy
- are taking steroid medicine (depending on the dose)
- are having long term immunosuppressive treatment for a condition such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), scleroderma or psoriasis
This list is a summary and does not include everything. Speak to your local pharmacy, GP surgery or specialist if you're not sure if you're eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Spring COVID 19 vaccinations have commenced on 1st April 2025. Appointments can be booked now via the NHS website, the NHS App or by calling 119, with appointments available until Tuesday 17 June 2025.
Useful links:
https://www.birminghamandsolihullvaccination.nhs.uk/walk-in/
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/
