Keep warm and well this winter

Vaccines, health checks and venues that can offer support are among the guidance issued by health partners in Cheshire West and Chester this winter.

As temperatures drop, residents are advised to make sure they are up-to-date with any seasonal vaccines that they are eligible for, and that they know where to go for help.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is one of the organisations in Cheshire West Place, a partnership of the Council, NHS and community groups working to improve the health and wellbeing of residents across the borough.

Six top tips shared by Cheshire West Place, which may be useful for you to share with your friends, families and networks, include the following:

1. Protect yourself and others with a flu vaccine, available free from the NHS for:

  • pregnant women
  • children aged from two to 16
  • children aged up to 17 with long-term health conditions
  • adults aged 65 and over
  • adults aged up to 64 in clinical risk groups
  • care home residents
  • frontline health and social care workers
  • carers or household contacts of people who are immunocompromised.

To find out more visit: www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/wintervaccines

2. Take up the offer of a free COVID-19 vaccine from the NHS if you are:

  • aged 75 or over (including people who will be 75 by 31 January 2026)
  • aged between six months to 74 years old and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
  • living in a care home for older adults

You may also be eligible for other vaccinations, including the pneumococcal vaccine (if you are aged 65 or over) and the RSV vaccine (if you are pregnant, aged 75 to 79, or turned 80 after 1 September 2024). You only need one dose of each of these vaccinations to help protect against serious illnesses that are more common in the winter, including pneumonia.
For more information visit: www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/wintervaccines

3. Get a free health check when the Living Well bus is in your area. Residents can drop in for services including:

  • flu and COVID-19 vaccinations
  • routine immunisations
  • blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and BMI checks
  • mental health support
  • healthy lifestyle advice.

4. Get free advice from NHS Pharmacy First, without a GP appointment. Pharmacies can offer advice on seven common conditions:

  • sinusitis for people aged 12 and above
  • sore throats for people aged five and above
  • earache for people aged between one and 17
  • infected insect bites for people aged one and above
  • impetigo for people aged one and above
  • shingles for adults
  • urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged between 16 and 64.

5. Use the new access hours for GP online services. All GP practices in England now keep their online consultation tools open from 8am to 6.30pm which means:

  • you can submit non-urgent requests during core hours
  • you can submit medication and admin queries.

Use your GP practice’s website for more information on how to submit your online consultation.

6. Visit a welcoming space in the borough through the Warm Welcome Campaign.
This campaign is about helping people find free, heated spaces to relax, socialise and enjoy refreshments. Regular handwashing also remains important to reduce the spread of infections.

For more information visit our website, and search for ‘keep warm and well this winter’.

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