Winter health and wellbeing advice

Protecting yourself and your loved ones from flu, COVID-19 and RSV

Respiratory viruses such as flu and COVID-19 usually get more common over the winter months when we spend more time together indoors. They can cause serious illness.

Together, we can help lower the risk of illness caused by these viruses.

Getting vaccinated

You can find out if you, your child or relative are eligible for a flu vaccination or COVID-19 booster online.

You can book by:

  • contacting your pharmacist or GP
  • using the NHS app

Visit the NHS England website to learn more.

From September 2026, you will be eligible for a free respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine if you are:

  • aged 75 or older
  • an adult living in a care home for older adults
  • aged 65 to 74 and have a weakened immune system or a long-term lung condition (excluding asthma that is under control)

Vaccines are one of the best ways to protect yourself from respiratory illnesses.  All those eligible are urged to book their vaccination. Don’t put it off: book yours today and protect yourself against the risk of severe illness.

Reducing the spread of diseases this winter

When someone with a viral infection coughs or sneezes they release tiny particles containing the virus. These particles can land on the people around them. They can also land on surfaces and be passed between people by touch.

As well as vaccines, the best ways to reduce the chance of catching and spreading respiratory viruses are:

  • washing your hands after contact with frequently touched objects (like door handles)
  • using alcohol-based hand sanitiser if you cannot wash your hands with soap and water, making sure to wash them as soon as you can
  • keeping unwashed hands away from your eyes and mouth

Remember: Catch it, bin it, kill it. Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when sneezing and coughing, and use disposable tissues to blow your nose. Throw away used tissues in the bin and wash your hands afterwards with soap and warm water.

Health risks from cold weather

Cold weather is linked to a higher risk of poor health outcomes. Many of these risks and impacts are predictable and preventable.  

Cold weather can directly increase the risk of:

  • respiratory (lung) illnesses and infections
  • heart attacks and strokes
  • falls and injuries
  • hypothermia

Cold weather can also:

  • disrupt how health and care services are provided and accessed
  • worsen the effects of cold homes and fuel poverty
  • contribute to poor mental health and social isolation
  • increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty or poorly maintained heating equipment

Health impacts can begin at relatively moderate outdoor temperatures of 4°C to 8°C.

Keeping your home warm

Try to heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you. Low indoor temperatures can have a serious impact on your health, especially if you have medical conditions or are older.

Simple changes can help to keep you and your home warm. These include:

  • heating rooms you spend a lot of time in, such as the living room or bedroom, to at least 18°C
  • trying to reduce draughts, for example with draft excluders, which can be cheaply fitted on doors
  • keeping your bedroom windows closed at night
  • wearing several layers of thinner clothing, which can help keep you warmer than one thicker layer

Rooms babies sleep in should be heated to 16°C to 20°C (61°F to 68°F). This helps to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Support is available to make your home more energy efficient. You may also be eligible to get help with energy costs through schemes and support payments like the Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payment Help.

Find out what support is available to you at our help with energy costs page.

Looking after yourself and others in cold weather

There are other things you can do to reduce risks from cold exposure to yourself and others around you.

As well as getting vaccinated, you should treat minor winter illnesses like colds or sore throats quickly. The NHS has information on how you can manage colds or sore throats yourself. It also has information on when you should visit your local pharmacist for more advice or treatment.

If you are worried about your health, feeling down or are worried about someone else’s health, contact your local pharmacist, NHS 111 or your GP. They will all be able to offer advice and support. In an emergency dial 999.

Other people around you, particularly older people, may need extra support during cold weather. To support others you can:

  • keep in touch with them and ask whether they are feeling unwell
  • ask if they need any practical help
  • see if they need any help stocking up on food and medication if bad weather is forecast

If you think someone you know might have hypothermia, contact NHS 111. In an emergency dial 999. Signs that someone might have hypothermia include:

  • shivering
  • slow breathing
  • tiredness or confusion
  • pale, cold skin

Useful resources

There are lots of free resources available to help you during severe winter weather.

The Met Office

Think ahead and prepare for what the weather may bring with the Met Office WeatherReady.

The Met Office also issues severe weather warnings. They make people aware of severe weather and how it might impact lives and property. The Met Office gives warnings for:

  • rain
  • wind
  • snow
  • ice
  • fog
  • thunderstorms

You can sign up for Met Office weather warnings online for advance warning of severe weather.

The Priority Services Register (PSR)

The PSR is a free service that gives extra support during power cuts and gas emergencies. They also have routine communication to keep you up to date.

You can find out if you are eligible and sign up to PSR by contacting your energy supplier or your local electricity and gas network operator directly. You will have to provide details about your needs.

Eligibility includes:

  • disability
  • long‑term medical and mental health conditions
  • pregnancy
  • young children under 5
  • older age
  • reliance on powered medical equipment

UK Health Security Agency keeping warm and well guidance

The UK Health Security Agency has keeping warm and well guidance. It gives advice on staying well in cold weather.

The guidance is available in:

  • English
  • Easy Read
  • BSL
  • other languages

Other guidance includes:

Other support

Other support available includes:

Last updated on 09/11/2026