Millions of people in the North West can now book their 'life-saving' flu and Covid-19 vaccinations.

The NHS has opened bookings for those at higher risk as the winter season approaches.

The vaccinations, which are set to start on October 3, are key in preventing serious illnesses that could lead to hospitalisation during the winter months.

In the first week alone, more than 330,000 vaccine appointments are available at hundreds of sites across the North West, including GP practices and pharmacies.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that adults aged 65 and over, residents in older adult care homes, and those with underlying health conditions aged six months to 64 years, be eligible for both flu and Covid-19 vaccinations.

Frontline health and social care staff, as in previous years, will also be offered the Covid-19 and flu vaccines, with staff in older adult care homes being offered the Covid-19 jab.

This means more than 2.8 million people in the North West are eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine, and 4.2 million people are eligible for the flu vaccination.

Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, regional director of commissioning for NHS England – North West, said: "The vaccines continue to provide the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation from Covid-19 and flu during the winter months.

"It takes just a few minutes to book online or via the NHS App or 119, so please make sure you come forward to get vaccinated and encourage loved ones who are eligible to do the same."

From this week, eligible individuals will start receiving invitations from the NHS to get their vaccines, while GP practices and other local NHS services will also be contacting people to offer both vaccines.

The flu vaccine can also be booked by searching online for a local pharmacy.

Flu season usually peaks in December and January, so starting adult vaccinations from October will ensure those most at risk are protected during the colder months when people gather indoors and viruses spread.

For the first time, the NHS is also offering vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of coughs and colds which can be dangerous to older people and young children.

The jab, introduced earlier this month, is available to those aged 75 to 79, and is being offered to pregnant women from 28 weeks, to protect their child.

It is hoped this year’s vaccination campaigns will help avoid a 'tripledemic' of RSV, Covid-19 and flu colliding during an 'already busy time' for frontline staff.

For those adults eligible for both flu and Covid-19 vaccines, the NHS will make them available at the same time, giving the option to get protection from both viruses in one visit.

However, it is more effective for people to have the RSV vaccination on a different day from any flu or Covid-19 vaccinations.

Flu vaccinations for children started in September for the new school year, to help stop the virus spreading, and pregnant women have been able to get their jab from September 1.

The nasal flu vaccine is the most effective vaccine for children aged two-17 years but if this is not suitable the GP or practice nurse may be able to offer a flu vaccine injection as an alternative.