Your Guide to Winter Vaccines
Getting your winter vaccines is an essential step in helping ensure that you stay healthy throughout the season.
During the winter months, we are generally more at risk of catching serious respiratory illnesses. This is mainly because we spend more time indoors, which makes it easier for viruses and bacteria to spread from person to person.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), pneumonia, whooping cough, and more common illnesses like flu and COVID-19 – including their symptoms, vaccines, and which groups are most at risk.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds. While RSV infections typically resolve on their own, they can sometimes become serious, particularly for infants and older adults. RSV is common, with nearly all children affected by the age of two.
Most cases are mild, but infants under six months, premature babies, adults over 75, and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of developing severe illness. In infants, RSV can lead to bronchiolitis, and in both babies and older adults, it can cause pneumonia.
RSV Symptoms
Symptoms generally develop a few days after exposure to the virus and can range from mild to severe, depending on the individual’s age and overall health. These symptoms may include:
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Fatigue
• High temperature
• Runny or blocked nose
In severe cases, RSV can lead to:
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Worsening cough
• Faster or irregular breathing
Older adults may experience confusion, while babies may become more irritable or feed less than usual. Cold-like symptoms in babies are often not serious but seek medical help if you’re concerned or if your baby seems very unwell.
RSV Vaccination
If you are pregnant or aged 75-79, you can receive your RSV vaccine through the NHS. Additionally, Kamsons Pharmacy offers a private RSV vaccination service for patients over the age of 60. If you’re interested in this winter vaccine, please fill out the consultation form here.
Pneumonia
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections. It’s also also referred to as the pneumonia vaccine. Pneumonia is caused by inflammation of the tissue in one or both lungs, typically caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and this can lead to pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning), and meningitis.
Pneumonia Symptoms
Symptoms of pneumonia can develop suddenly or gradually over a few days and may include:
- A cough – you may cough up yellow or green mucus (phlegm)
- Shortness of breath
- High temperature
- Chest pain
- An aching body
- Feeling very tired
- Loss of appetite
- Wheezing noises when breathing (babies may also make grunting noises)
- Confusion – especially in older people
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
The following groups are advised to get vaccinated against pneumococcal infections:
- Babies
- People aged 65 and over
- Anyone aged 2 to 64 with a health condition that increases their risk of pneumococcal infection
- Anyone at occupational risk, such as welders
The pneumonia vaccine is available at Kamsons Pharmacy for £75. If you’re interested in this winter vaccine please complete the form here.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily and can be particularly dangerous for babies under six months old. Vaccination is crucial for babies, children, and pregnant women.
Whooping Cough Symptoms
The early signs of whooping cough are similar to a cold, including a runny nose and sore throat (a high temperature is uncommon). After about a week, you or your child may experience:
- Coughing bouts lasting several minutes, typically worse at night
- A “whoop” sound – a gasp for breath between coughs (young babies and some adults may not “whoop”)
- Difficulty breathing after a coughing bout, with some infants turning blue or grey
- Bringing up thick mucus, which may cause vomiting
- Becoming very red in the face (more common in adults)
The cough can last for several weeks or even months.
Whooping Cough Complications
Babies under 12 months old with whooping cough have an increased risk of complications such as:
- Dehydration
- Breathing difficulties
- Pneumonia
- Seizures (fits)
Although whooping cough is generally less severe in older children and adults, the persistent coughing can still cause complications like:
- Sore ribs
- Hernia
The Whooping Cough vaccine is available at Kamsons Pharmacy for £90. Please fill in the form here if you are interested in this winter vaccine service.
Flu
At Kamsons Pharmacy, we prioritise your health and well-being, particularly during the winter months when the risk of flu increases. Our flu vaccination service is designed to protect you and those around you from seasonal flu, reducing the risk of illness and its potential complications, which can be serious, especially for vulnerable groups.
Flu is caused by a virus that affects the respiratory system and spreads easily through coughs, sneezes, and contact with contaminated surfaces. Symptoms of flu can come on suddenly and can be severe. These include:
- A sudden high temperature
- Aching body
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Feeling sick or vomiting
Flu Complications
Most healthy people recover from the flu within a week or two, but for some, it can lead to more severe complications, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or worsening of chronic conditions like asthma and heart disease. Flu can be particularly dangerous for vulnerable groups, which is why the vaccine is so important.
Flu Vulnerable Groups
People at higher risk of serious flu-related complications include:
- People aged 65 and older
- Babies and children under the age of 5
- Pregnant women
- People with long-term health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, or kidney problems
- People with a disability
- Health and social care workers in contact with vulnerable individuals
The flu vaccine is safe and highly effective at preventing infection. It is recommended that those in higher risk groups receive the flu jab every year, as the virus can change and immunity can fade.
At Kamsons Pharmacy, we offer both private and NHS flu jabs. If you’re eligible for a flu jab on the NHS, we provide a quick and easy vaccination service at no cost. For those who are not eligible, our private flu vaccination is available at a reasonable price. By getting your flu jab, you not only help protect yourself but also those around you, especially vulnerable members of your community.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify for an NHS flu jab or would prefer a private vaccination, please contact us, our team is happy to answer any questions you may have about this winter vaccine.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact worldwide, and although many precautions have been put in place, the virus continues to pose a threat, particularly during the winter months. Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of the virus and prevent severe illness.
COVID-19 Symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19 can vary greatly, from mild to severe, and typically develop within 2 to 14 days after exposure. Common symptoms include:
- A high temperature or fever
- A new, continuous cough
- Loss or change of taste or smell
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick or vomiting
While many will recover with mild symptoms, COVID-19 can lead to complications, especially in vulnerable groups. These groups include:
- People aged 65 and older
- People with underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions and kidney disease
- Pregnant women
- People with weakened immune systems
COVID-19 Vaccination Availability
COVID-19 vaccinations are available at a number of Kamsons Pharmacies across the UK, including locations in Brighton, Eastbourne, Crawley, Chichester, Highcliffe, and Colchester.
Please note that appointments cannot be made directly with the branch, and walk-in appointments for this winter vaccine are unavailable. To book your COVID-19 vaccination, simply visit the NHS website or call 119 from your mobile or landline.
If you are interested in our RSV, Pneumonia and/or Whooping Cough winter vaccine services please fill out the forms on each page
After completing the form, our prescriber will review your questionnaire and, where appropriate, send a prescription to your chosen branch. We recommend contacting the pharmacy two days after completing the form to arrange your appointment. If the prescriber has any queries regarding your questionnaire, they will contact you directly.
By following these winter vaccine guidelines, you are not only protecting your own health but also contributing to the health of your community, especially the most vulnerable. Don’t wait until it’s too late – book your winter vaccines today!