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Hefin David is the Labour Senedd Member for the Caerphilly constituency.

Autumn has well and truly arrived. The time of year where we all try to avoid colds, flu, and other bugs.

I recently attended a session with Community Pharmacy Wales, where I was able to get my flu vaccination ahead of the winter season. 

Flu vaccines began in September in schools across Wales, and the adult seasonal flu and Covid-19 vaccination programme began on October 1. The programme will be delivered at pace, with all eligible being offered an appointment by early December. 

For the first time, pregnant women are being offered the RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine to help protect newborn babies from this virus, which can lead to serious complications, especially in winter. The RSV vaccine is also being offered to people as they turn 75-years-old as part of a year-round programme which launched earlier this month in Wales. 

As we head in to the winter period and knowing the significant pressures on our NHS, it is important that we all take simple actions to protect ourselves and our families from common illness, like the flu. One of the best ways to do this is through vaccination.

I would encourage anyone eligible for a flu vaccination to take up the offer and support our NHS in focussing on the people who need the most care.

If you need more information, the Public Health Wales website provides details about eligibility for the NHS flu and Covid-19 vaccines.

Take care,

Hefin