Vaccination is an essential part of protecting yourself against serious illness.
COVID and flu vaccines will be offered to residents of Birmingham and Solihull this year who are at increased risk from these diseases. To protect yourself, others, and the NHS, make sure that you get your vaccine.
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.
The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people at increased risk from COVID-19.
You may be offered a COVID-19 vaccine if you:
are aged 65 or over
are pregnant
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
live in a care home for older adults
You may be more likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19 due to a health condition, treatment or medicine, including:
- conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
- heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or hypertension
- chronic kidney disease
- liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
- chronic digestive issues, such as severe gastro-oesophageal reflux
- some conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
- a learning disability
- diabetes, Addison's disease or hypopituitary syndrome
- problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you've had your spleen removed
- being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
- severe mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
- some genetic disorders, such as mitochondrial disease and chromosomal conditions
- a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine
This list is a summary and does not cover everything. Read a full definition in tables 3 and 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the green book on GOV.UK.
If you're eligible for the winter COVID-19 vaccine, you can:
-
book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online or in the NHS App – you need to book your vaccination before 20 December 2024
Some people may be able to get vaccinated through a local service, such as a community pharmacy or your GP surgery, or a care home if they live in a care home.
You do not need to wait for an invitation before booking an appointment.
You can also receive a COVID vaccine from a walk-in site. Upcoming walk-in clinics in Birmingham and Solihull are available online.
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.
If you're eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:
book a flu vaccination appointment at a pharmacy via the NHS website or via the NHS App (if you're aged 18 or over)
find a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination (if you're aged 18 or over)
contact your GP surgery to book an appointment
Some people may be able to get vaccinated through their maternity service, care home, or their employer if they are a frontline health or social care worker.