Yes. Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of certain infections and their complications, but no vaccine provides complete protection.

Why can infections still happen?

Vaccines help your immune system recognise and respond to particular viruses or bacteria. However, the protection they provide varies depending on the vaccine, the infection and individual factors such as age and immune health.

Some respiratory viruses also change over time, which can affect how well existing immunity protects against infection.

Does that mean vaccination hasn’t worked?

Not at all.

An important benefit of vaccination is reducing the likelihood of serious illness, complications and hospitalisation, even if you still become infected.

For example, someone vaccinated against flu may still catch influenza but be less likely to develop severe symptoms.

What else can you do?

Vaccination works alongside everyday preventative measures, including good hand hygiene, ventilation and avoiding close contact with vulnerable people when you’re unwell.

It’s also important to remember that protection takes time to develop after vaccination.

Dears Pharmacy provides flu vaccination and private COVID-19 vaccination, alongside other vaccination services.

Speak to our pharmacy team about the protection available to you this winter.