Stay Well This Winter

If you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 it’s important you get tested as soon as possible:

• a high temperature – this 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 three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normalIf you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19, even if they’re mild:

• get a PCR test (test that is sent to a lab) as soon as possible to check if you have COVID-19

You can apply for a test online via www.nhs.uk/coronavirus, or by calling 119. If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, the serviceis available by textphone or Relay UK on 18001 119 and the NHS 119 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service at www.signvideo.co.uk/nhs119

If you are getting a test because you have symptoms, you must stay at home until you get your result. Anyone in your support bubble who hasn’t received both vaccinations must also stay at home.

If you need medical advice about your symptoms, use the NHS 111 online COVID-19 service 111.nhs.uk/covid-19, or contact NHS 111 by calling 111. This service is also available by textphone or Relay UK on 18001 111 and NHS 111 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service via www.nhs.uk/111

For minor health concerns, your local pharmacy team can help. If you can’t get to a pharmacy yourself, ask someone to go for you or call them.

Don’t delay, the sooner you get advice, the better.
For urgent health concerns, you can contact NHS 111 by phone or online.

GP practices offer remote consultations online or by phone. If you need a face-to-face appointment, they will tell you what to do.

If you need medical help fast or think you need to
go to an Emergency Department (A&E), are worried about your symptoms or you’re not sure what to do, go straight to NHS 111. The service is available online at 111.nhs.uk and also by phone, textphone or
Relay UK and NHS 111 BSL interpreter service.

We tell you more about NHS services at the end of this leaflet.

The COVID-19 booster programme is the rollout of an additional vaccine dose to people who have previously received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. It will ensure continued protection for those most at risk.

Booster vaccinations will be given no earlier than six months after completion of the first course of vaccination. We strongly recommend you have the booster to ensure you have maximum protection ahead of the winter months.

The NHS will invite eligible people to book their booster vaccine when it is their turn.

For more information visit

www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination

The flu virus strikes in winter and it can be far more serious than you think. Flu can lead to serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and it can be deadly.

That’s why the flu vaccine is free if you’re aged 50 or over, or if you have a long-term health condition.

If you have young children or grandchildren they may also be eligible for a free nasal spray vaccination.

If you are pregnant you are eligible for a free flu vaccination at any time in your pregnancy; ask your
GP practice, pharmacist or midwife. And if you are the main carer of an older or disabled person, you may also be eligible for the free flu vaccine. Just speak to your GP practice or pharmacist. You can also find more information at www.nhs.uk/fluvaccine

Also, don’t forget that if you’re aged 65 or over, or have certain health conditions, you are eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine, which will help protect you from pneumococcal diseases such as pneumonia. Ask your GP practice.