Date: October 2015

For Immediate Release

Stay Well This Winter

Cold weather doesn’t have to go hand in hand with illness. There are things you can do to help you and your loved ones stay well this winter.

Winter conditions can be seriously bad for our health, especially for people aged 65 or over, and people with long-term health conditions.

Taking a few simple steps to prepare for the cold weather can make a real difference.

• Get a flu jab - vaccinations are offered free of charge to people with serious health conditions, adults aged 65 or over, pregnant women and some carers, to ensure that they are protected against catching flu and developing serious complications.
  
  Children aged two, three and four, plus primary school children in years one and two, are also eligible for a free nasal spray to protect them against flu and reduce its spread to other children, including any older brothers and sisters, their parents and grandparents.

The best time to be vaccinated is at the start of the flu season from October to November, so it’s good to get in early and get flu safe in time for the winter. 

Just contact your GP practice to arrange an appointment to get your flu jab, or visit a local pharmacy.

• Keep warm - there are steps you can take to help keep you and your home warm when temperatures outside drop.

Wrapping up warm, staying active and heating your home effectively may help prevent colds, flu or more serious health conditions developing such as heart attacks, strokes and pneumonia.

Visit www.nhs.uk/livewell/winterhealth for tips and advice on how to keep warm this winter plus information on grants, benefits and available to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills.

• Eat well - food is a vital source of energy, which helps keep your body warm.

Try to make sure that you have hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day and keep active in the home if you can. It’s worth stocking up on tinned or frozen foods, so that you don’t have to go out too much when it’s especially cold or icy.

Visit www.nhs.uk/staywell for lots more advice and information on keeping healthy during cold weather.