This month, I got my Autumn Covid-19 booster and annual flu jab. I didn’t have to pay for the flu jab as it is free for people with a learning disability and their carers. And nobody has to pay for the Covid-19 jab.

My GP set it all up at my local health centre, and I thought I'd share my experience in case anybody is thinking about getting theirs.

I went along with my support worker . The buses were running late, so we decided to walk most of the way. It was a warm day for October, which I was not ready for as I had my big coat on! My phone also stopped working just when I needed it for directions. My support worker was able to direct us though. After a bit of a detour, feeling quite hot and a sore toe, we finally found the health centre.

When we got there, I had to fill out a consent form. It was a bit frustrating since I knew I was getting the jabs anyway, but I understand things have to be done the proper way. The form was not accessible — it was not in Easy Read or even large print, which made it hard for me to read. A little more thought into that would’ve been helpful!

I got two jabs, one in each arm—one for flu and one for Covid-19. Even though you don’t hear about Covid-19 as much in the news anymore, it's still really important to protect yourself, especially if you're vulnerable or have certain health conditions.

I’m really glad I got both. I’ve had flu and Covid-19 before, and I know how bad they can be. My arms were sore for a day, but that is a small price to pay. It feels good knowing I have done what I can to reduce the chances of getting ill.

If you are eligible for the Covid-19 booster or flu jab, I really recommend getting it. Stay safe and healthy!

You can find out more with the easy read guides on our website . 👇