Public Health Wales is urging all eligible people in Wales to have their free NHS flu and Covid-19 booster vaccines when the NHS in Wales begins its biggest ever national winter vaccinations programme.

"As the global pandemic continues, the impact of Covid-19 on the nation has been significant, but flu can be serious too," said a Public Health Wales spokesperson.

"The chances of becoming seriously ill with Covid-19 or flu are greatly reduced by vaccination, as are the risks of spreading these viruses."

Public Health Wales is also urging frontline workers, and those who work in care homes or providing care in peoples own homes to get their vaccines to help reduce spread.

Dr Christopher Johnson, consultant epidemiologist and interim head of Public Health Wales’ vaccine preventable disease programme explains: “It is well known that having a flu vaccine every year is one of the most effective ways to protect against flu. Likewise the Covid-19 booster vaccination extends the protection against infection in individuals in those eligible groups that completed their primary course of the Covid-19 vaccinations earlier this year.

“The process is simple and effective. For most eligible groups the flu vaccines are available from either General Practice or Community Pharmacy. Separate arrangements are in place for infants, school-age children and NHS and social care staff. Most Covid-19 booster vaccinations will be offered at the existing mass vaccination centres, with invitations issued by local Health Boards.”

Those eligible for free NHS flu and Covid-19 vaccines are set out in advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The groups for each are similar but are not exact matches. The full JCVI recommendations are available online for flu and the Covid-19 booster programme.

For more information how vaccines protect you, and about the symptoms of flu and Covid-19, search for Public Health Wales vaccines or visit phw.nhs.wales/vaccines.