Winter vaccines and viruses 2021-22 toolkit for GP practices

In this toolkit you’ll find various communication resources to help raise awareness with patients of the following:  

• General on flu and covid vaccines
• Pregnant women covid-19 vaccines
• Pregnant women flu vaccines
• Winter bugs and viruses including RSV
• Self care

This toolkit includes:

• Links to resources
• 
  
• Article for websites and newsletters
• Social media posts and images aimed at different groups

If you require any further information or additional resources, for example information in other languages, please contact the CCG Comms team at capccg.contact@nhs.net who will be happy to help.

Useful resources 

The Public Health resource centre has assets for social media about winter vaccinations and other public campaigns such as 111, winter and mental health  to download. 

The Health Publications website has lots of resources available which you can download or order about flu vaccines. It includes leaflets and posters which are available in translation, BSL, and children’s versions too. 

There are a range of Translated resources available including patient information leaflets around local NHS services and 111 that can be downloaded or signposted to from practice websites.

Updated Self Care patient leaflets are also available for range of common conditions such as Eczema, back pain, constipation, acne and Sinusitis.  Again these can be downloaded or you can link to them from your website.

Articles for websites and newsletters

Get ready for winter viruses

Flu and COVID-19 can both be life-threatening and spread more easily in winter, when we are all crowded together inside. Most adults and children will be eligible for a flu jab, COVID-19 booster, or both. It’s the most effective way to boost our natural immunity and protect ourselves from these viruses. So, book your vaccine appointments now and BOOST your immunity this winter.

So it’s important to get your flu vaccine this year as well as your COVID-19 vaccines. The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to people who:

• 50 and over (including those who'll be 50 by 31 March 2022)
• have certain health conditions
• are pregnant
• are in long-stay residential care
• receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
• live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
• frontline health or social care workers

COVID-19 vaccines are available to anyone over 16 through the national booking service or walk-in spots. Boosters are also available for people over 50 or health and social care workers, as long as you are 182 days since your second dose. These have to be booked at https://www.nhs.uk/book-a-coronavirus-vaccination/

Help your local NHS this winter

• Get your flu vaccine – whether you have one for free or need to buy one from a pharmacy, it’s really important for you and your family to be protected this winter
• Get your COVID-19 vaccines – first dose, second dose, third dose or booster, take up the offer of COVID-19 vaccines that are available to you
• Download the NHS app – for on the go access to your NHS COVID pass, book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and more https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-app/
• Use your local pharmacy – they are experts in medication and can provide lots of self-care advice and medicines for winter bugs
• Keep a well stocked medicine cabinet – you never know which bugs you and your family might catch this winter, so it’s worth having a supply of basic medications at home https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/your-medicine-cabinet/

Social media posts and images

This section contains the following topics

• General on flu and COVID-19 vaccines
• Pregnant women covid-19 vaccines
• Pregnant women flu vaccines
• Winter bugs and viruses including RSV

General Social Media Posts (scroll down for specific pregnancy posts)

• Flu and COVID-19 can both be life-threatening and spread more easily in winter, when we are all crowded together inside. We’re urging everyone who is eligible to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible this winter

• The number of COVID-19 infections remain high in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and are continuing to rise.
  
  Levels of protection may reduce over time, so getting your booster this winter is the best way to protect yourself, your family and your friends. #GetVaccinated

• There are two essential vaccines that you may need this winter - flu and COVID-19 booster.
  
  Syringe Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, friends and family from these dangerous viruses.

• It’s important anyone eligible comes forward for a flu vaccine as soon as possible – the vaccines are safe, effective and the best thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones this winter

• All children age 2-17 can get a free flu nasal spray vaccine. Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children. It can also lead to serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/

COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women

• Nearly 20 per cent of the most critically ill COVID patients are pregnant women who have not been vaccinated. Book at appointment here https://www.nhs.uk/.../coro.../book-coronavirus-vaccination/

• The NHS is encouraging pregnant women to get the COVID-19 vaccine as new data shows that nearly 20 per cent of the most critically ill COVID patients are pregnant women who have not been vaccinated.

• There's loads of winter bugs already circulating in our communities. It might feel like you've been ill forever, but some things do take a while to clear. You can get medication from your local pharmacy to help relieve the symptoms whilst you recover.

• Colds and winter bugs can mostly be treated at home with rest and medications from your pharmacy. If possible, make sure you stay away from babies and young children until you are better 

• Over the past 18 months, many babies and young children have not had the opportunity to build immunity to colds and winter bugs. In a usual year children can have 8-10 colds. Stay away from friends and family who are unwell to protect your baby.

• Over the past 18 months, many babies and young children have not had the opportunity to build immunity to colds and winter bugs. Most colds get better in 5 to 7 days but can take up to 2 weeks in small children.

• You can treat bronchiolitis at home; make sure your child gets enough fluid to avoid dehydration. You can give infants paracetamol or ibuprofen to bring down their temperature if the fever is upsetting them.

• You can treat bronchiolitis at home; make sure your child gets enough fluid to avoid dehydration. You can give infants paracetamol or ibuprofen to bring down their temperature if the fever is upsetting them.