Seasonal vaccinations

COVID-19

Information about COVID-19 vaccines available

COVID-19 Walk-in clinics

Walk-in clinic locations and opening times

Cold and Flu

Find out about cold and flu vaccinations

Flu and COVID-19 can spread easily and lead to serious illness, especially for those at higher risk. That’s why getting your seasonal vaccinations is a vital part of staying healthy.

Each year, the NHS offers free flu and COVID-19 vaccines to eligible people across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. These vaccines are timed to offer the best protection when you’re most likely to be exposed.

By getting vaccinated, you not only protect yourself, but you also help safeguard your loved ones and your wider community.

So, if you’re eligible, make sure you get your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations each time they’re offered.

RSV, a common virus, spreads in winter too and older adults and pregnant women are at most risk of serious complications. Autumn is a good time to check whether you are eligible and get protected.

Boosting your protection

You might be used to having vaccinations for flu and COVID-19 during autumn and winter when these viruses are circulating widely in our communities.

Eligible people are also invited to have a second COVID-19 vaccination each year in the spring. That’s because the protection given by the earlier vaccination fades after a while. A second shot of the vaccine boosts your protection at a time of year when the virus can still make you seriously ill or even need care in hospital.

Why once isn’t enough

You might wonder why flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are needed every year. Why not have them once and be protected for life?

The answer lies in how viruses behave. Flu and COVID-19 constantly change (or mutate) so they can continue to infect people and spread. When our body’s immune system is able to defend itself against a particular virus – helped by having a flu or COVID-19 vaccination – the virus evolves.

Fortunately, we’re able to adapt vaccines to combat these changes. The flu vaccination and the COVID-19 vaccination you have this year will probably be slightly different to the last ones you had. That’s why seasonal vaccinations are so important; they’re updated to help protect against the most common and dangerous strains each year. Stay up to date with your vaccinations and stay protected.