Seasonal health advice

Viruses such as Flu and COVID-19 spread more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors and they can cause serious illness. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and those around you. By getting your Flu and COVID-19 vaccines, it means you are likely to have milder symptoms and recover faster, reducing your risk of being hospitalised. You can  check your eligibility and book online through the NHS website  or you can speak to your GP surgery.

Take steps to protect your health this winter and find practical advice and local support on the South East London ICS website.

The RSV vaccine  helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is a virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill. It is recommended during pregnancy and for adults aged 75 to 79 years.

For advice on keeping well and staying warm in cold weather, covering issues such as healthy lifestyle, heating and financial help:  Keeping warm and well: staying safe in cold weather - GOV.UK .

Children are particularly vulnerable to winter illnesses. The  ‘Keep your child well this winter’ guide  is a useful resource for parents to help them manage the season of runny noses, fevers, and germs, and is packed full of advice from the One Bromley Partnership.

Childhood infections like measles and whooping cough are rising. Parents are urged to help protect their children by ensuring they are up to date with their free measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and all other  routine childhood immunisations . These vaccinations are crucial in protecting children against preventable diseases.

It is never too late to catch up; speak to your child’s GP if you are unsure or check the NHS  childhood vaccines timeline .