More than one million Covid-19 vaccines have been administered to those at greatest risk in the North West.

The NHS is now urging more eligible people to come forward and protect themselves this winter.

As the colder months approach, the likelihood of viruses such as Covid and flu spreading increases, and this can result in people becoming seriously unwell and being admitted to hospital.

To help protect NHS services this winter, those eligible, including people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, those with long-term health conditions, and carers, are being urged to come forward for their jabs as soon as possible.

Since the vaccination programmes began in autumn, 1,014,627 Covid vaccines and 1,894,917 flu vaccines have been delivered in the region.

Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, regional director for commissioning at NHS England North West, said: "Thank you to NHS staff and vaccination teams who have successfully delivered more than one million Covid jabs, and more than 1.8 million flu jabs, to help protect our most vulnerable communities.

"Vaccines are our best defence this winter and will help prevent the NHS from becoming overwhelmed, meaning services are available when people need NHS care.

"If you are eligible, please come forward for your free Covid and flu vaccines as soon as possible and make sure you and your loved ones are protected."

Anyone eligible can book a Covid vaccine appointment via the NHS website, NHS App, or by calling 119 for free.

The National Booking Service will close on December 20, meaning there is just under one month left to book your vaccine online.

After this date, people will still be able to get vaccinated at their GP practice, community pharmacies, and walk-in sites.

Tricia Spedding, head of public health at NHS England North West, said: "It’s vital we all take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones from these dangerous and even life-threatening viruses.

"Each year, we see a significant number of people who aren’t vaccinated needing hospital care and even sadly dying with Covid and flu.

"It’s important to come forward if you are eligible for these vaccines, even if you have had previous vaccinations or have had one of the viruses, as protection fades, and some of these viruses can change over time."

You are eligible for a Covid and flu vaccination if you are aged 65 or over, pregnant, aged 6 months to 64 years in clinical risk groups, live in a care home for older adults, or are a frontline health and social care worker.

In addition to the above, those also eligible for a flu vaccine include carers in receipt of carer’s allowance or are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person, close contacts of immunocompromised individuals, all children aged 2 or 3 years on August 31 2024, primary school-aged children, secondary school-aged children, all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years, and frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer-led occupational health scheme.

The NHS is also rolling out the RSV vaccine to protect vulnerable people from lung infections.

People aged 75 and pregnant women are eligible for this vaccine, as well as those aged 75-79 as part of a catch-up programme.

Although people can get RSV all year round, the NHS sees an increase in cases during winter, and therefore it’s vital people get the vaccine as soon as they are eligible.

For more information about winter vaccines and winter health, visit the NHS website.