Get the best start to the New Year - Rachael Musgrave

Get the best start to the New Year - Rachael Musgrave

It’s a new year and for many of us that means it’s the time for making exciting plans, taking on new challenges, and getting healthier. Staying well throughout winter will help us all to enjoy the things we love, and want, to do.

As we return to work and school following the first festive season without any forms of lockdown or social restrictions, there are lots of viruses’ circulating. We’re seeing high levels of flu, COVID-19 and scarlet fever.

There are though lots of simple things we can all do to stay well and protect loved ones and friends:

• Get your free flu and Covid-19 vaccine
• Stay at home and avoid close contact with others if you’re not feeling well
• Wash your hands regularly and clean surfaces
• Catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue and bin them
• Face coverings can also help reduce the chance of you spreading infection to others, especially in crowded and enclosed spaces, and may protect you from becoming infected by some viruses.

Encouraging children to follow these steps can also help protect them and minimise the spread of illness in the wider community. Children are also eligible for free vaccines, including flu and Covid-19, and they are the best protection we have against viruses.

Getting your child vaccinated protects them and those they come into contact with. Remember that if your child is unwell and has a fever, they should stay home from school or nursery until they feel better and the fever has resolved. If you think your child is poorly and getting worse, trust your instincts and contact NHS 111 or your GP.

Let’s all get the best start to the new year by keeping ourselves and those around us safe and healthy.