In the face of what is likely to be the worst flu season for a decade, Age UK London have advice for older Londoners to help them make informed choices about their health. And on Thursday 20th November, they'll be running an online advice session where you can put your questions to the experts.
As the colder months approach, Age UK London is urging older Londoners to protect their health, and in particular to ensure that they are vaccinated.
According to NHS England, who have issued a “flu jab SOS”, the flu season has come earlier this year, and free vaccines are now available for everyone aged 65 and over, under 65s in clinical risk groups, and residents of care homes. The NHS has made over 2.4 million flu appointments available to eligible people, which also includes pregnant women and young children.
To support this effort, Age UK London is hosting a Winter Health Q&A Event on Thursday 20th November, featuring expert insights from Dr Oge Ilozue, a London GP and leading voice in public health, on how older adults can stay fit and healthy this winter. The event will take place online and is part of Age UK London’s broader campaign to raise awareness about winter health risks and the importance of vaccination.
Tony Burch, retired London GP and Chair of Age UK London, said: “Winter can be a challenging time for older people, especially with the added risks of flu and covid. It’s more important than ever to take extra steps to protect yourself - whether that’s getting vaccinated, staying warm, or seeking support early if you feel unwell. These small actions can make an enormous difference to your health and wellbeing.”
Age UK London, working in partnership with NHS London, are delighted to bring you an ONLINE information session discussing all aspects of staying healthy over winter. On Thursday 20th November from 11am to 1pm, we will be discussing exercise, diet, mental health and staying hydrated, as well as eligibility for vaccines including flu, covid, RSV, shingles and pneumonia.
Our guest speaker will be a practicising GP Dr Oge Ilozue. The event will be Chaired by Tony Burch, a retired GP, volunteer vaccinator and Age UK London Chair of Trustees. Each person will get a chance for their questions to be answered and can submit qurstions to Dr Ilozue either before the event or ask directly on the day.
Join in the discussion on ZOOM where we will be looking at:
- What are the best ways to stay healthy this Winter?
- How much do I need to drink to stay hydrated?
- Do we really need a another covid booster and who is eligible?
- Is the flu really that dangerous?
To register for the online meeting, visit bit.ly/onlinehealthevent, email Sharon Tynan at or click on the button below.
More advice from Dr Oge Ilozue
Age UK London have also posted a series of videos featuring Dr Oge Ilozue sharing advice on staying healthy over the winter months, including an explanation of why it’s necessary to get a flu jab each year as the virus changes over time. Click on the title to watch each video.
Do I need to have the flu injection every year?
Retaining mobility
Looking after eyesight and hearing
Eating the rainbow
Drinking coffee
Bad colorectal health
Enhancing cognition
Managing blood pressure
Preparing a healthy breakfast
More advice videos by Dr Ilozue
Who Is eligible for vaccines?
This year, the NHS flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme is targeting the following groups of older Londoners:
- Flu Vaccine Eligibility:
- Adults aged 65 and over
- Adults aged 18–64 in clinical risk groups
- COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility:
- Adults aged 75 and over
- Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed
Please note: eligibility for flu and COVID-19 vaccines may differ, and not all individuals eligible for one are eligible for the other.
How to Book Your Vaccines
Eligible individuals can book their free NHS flu and COVID-19 vaccinations through several convenient options:
- Online:
- NHS App: Arrange both vaccines in a single appointment.
- Phone: Call 119 for multilingual support and booking assistance.
- Local Pharmacies and GP Surgeries: Walk-in and scheduled appointments available.
