More than one million Covid-19 jabs have been delivered in the North West in a bid to protect the NHS this winter.

The NHS is urging those at 'greatest risk' to come forward and get their vaccinations ahead of the winter months.

As the weather gets colder and people spend more time indoors, viruses such as Covid-19 and the flu are more likely to spread, leading to an increased number of people falling ill and needing hospital care.

To prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed, those eligible, including people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, carers, and those with long-term health conditions, are encouraged to get their jabs as soon as possible.

Since the vaccination programme started in the autumn, 1,014,627 Covid-19 vaccines and 1,894,917 flu vaccines have been administered 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."

Those eligible for a Covid-19 and flu vaccination also include people aged 65 or over, pregnant women, individuals aged six months to 64 years in clinical risk groups, those living in care homes for older adults, and frontline health and social care workers.

Carers, close contacts of immunocompromised individuals, children aged two or three years on August 31, 2024, and school-aged children are also eligible for a flu vaccine.

The National Booking Service will close on December 20, 2024, 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."

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, they recommend people get the vaccine as soon as they are eligible.

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