Thousands of residents in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent aged 50 and over are now able to book their COVID-19 autumn booster and flu vaccination.

NHS COVID-19 and flu vaccination programmes will work together to protect people from serious illness ahead of winter. Approximately 580,000 people are eligible for an autumn COVID-19 booster, and with health leaders warning of a “twindemic” of the two illnesses this winter, people are urged to come forward for their jabs.

Online and phone bookings are open to anyone over 50 to book their COVID-19 jabs via 119 and www.nhs.uk.

Flu vaccinations for eligible people are available at GP practices and pharmacies. You can find a pharmacy that offers vaccinations and there also a number of pharmacies that allow you to book online.

Over 160,000 COVID-19 vaccinations have been given in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent since the booster drive began at the beginning of September, many of those co-administered with the flu vaccine.

Dr Paddy Hannigan, Clinical Lead for the vaccination programme at Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “Vaccinations are our strongest weapon against these viruses and NHS staff in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are once again doing all they can to protect the public.

“Anyone who is eligible can now easily book a free flu and autumn booster vaccine online through the National Booking Service. Flu and COVID-19 are unpleasant for everyone but they can be life-threatening for some including people with long-term conditions and pregnant women.

“The double threat of flu and COVID-19 during the cost-of-living crisis is of real concern, so it’s crucial that you take up the free flu vaccine as soon as possible if you are offered it. It will help protect you from severe flu this winter, and even save your life. Please give yourself and your loved ones vital protection over the coming months.”

Those eligible for the flu jab are:

• people aged 50 and over
• people aged over six months to 49 in a clinical risk group
• some secondary school-aged children
• 2 and 3-year-olds
• pregnant women
• primary school-aged children
• care home residents
• carers
• frontline healthcare workers
• frontline social care staff who do not have access to occupational health schemes
• household contacts of people with weakened immune systems.

Those eligible for an autumn Covid booster this year include:

• residents in care homes for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
• frontline health and social care workers
• people aged 50 years and over
• people aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group
• people aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with weakened immune systems
• people aged 16 to 49 years who are carers.