TIME is running out for everyone eligible to book their flu and Covid-19 vaccines before Christmas.

The UK Health Security Agency South West is calling on everyone to book their vaccinations to help them get ‘winter strong’ and have safe and healthy celebrations.

As the vaccines take up to two weeks to provide maximum protection, getting vaccinated soon will help reduce the risk of severe disease in time for Christmas. Receiving vaccines far this winter in the South West are: 73.6 per cent of over 65s, 36.9 per cent of those with long term health conditions, 30.4 per cent of pregnant women and 38.9 per cent of two and three-year-olds have already received their flu vaccine.

Anyone in the groups eligible for vaccination against flu and COVID-19 and are yet to take up the vaccines, should ensure they get them as soon as possible. Everyone aged 65 and over, pregnant women, and individuals with certain long-term health conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease, are eligible for free flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

Professor Dominic Mellon, Deputy Regional Director for UKHSA South West said: ‘The Christmas season is special to a lot of people as families and friends gather to celebrate. However, it also coincides with when respiratory virus activity typically rises.

‘In the South West, there’s still a lot of eligible people who have yet to get their winter vaccines, putting them at risk of complications and even hospitalisation from catching flu or COVID-19.

‘As well as protecting yourself, ensure your children are vaccinated too against flu. Each winter thousands of children require treatment in hospital for flu or its complications. Many of these episodes can be prevented by a simple vaccine. On top of helping to keep your child healthy, the flu vaccine also helps stop the spread of flu in the family and wider community – helping to protect those who are more vulnerable and the elderly such as grandparents.’

To book Covid and flu vaccines, you can either download the NHS App, visit www.nhs.uk/book-covid or call 119 for free if you can’t get online.