COVID-19 and flu

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:

1. adults aged 75 years and over
2. residents in a care home for older adults
3. individuals aged 6 months and over who have a weakened immune system because of a health cindition or treatment.

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 began on 1 April 2025.  Appointments can be booked via:

• the NHS website
• the NHS App
• by calling 119

The last date you will be able to get your COVID-19 vaccine is 17 June 2025. Online booking will close on 16 June 2025.

You can also visit a walk-in vaccination clinic. Follow the link to find details of locations and opening hours.

More information can be found on the NHS website.

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.

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.