Viruses tend to spread more easily indoors so if you are in one of the groups eligible for vaccination against flu and against Covid-19, book your winter vaccines as soon as possible.

Being vaccinated will help your Diwali celebrations stay on plan, whether that’s sharing delicious meals, lighting lamps or exchanging gifts with friends and family. Taking up the vaccine offer means you have taken steps to reduce the chances of spreading these infections or even experiencing serious complications from them.

Everyone aged 65 and over, pregnant women, and individuals with certain long-term health conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease, are eligible for free flu and Covid-19 vaccines. These vaccines offer the best defence against becoming severely unwell or being admitted to hospital.

Children are also eligible for a free flu vaccine and are advised to take up the vaccine ahead of the festivities if receiving the vaccine from their GP. Each winter, thousands of children need to go to hospital for treatment (10,000 children were hospitalised with flu last season), including intensive care, with children under five having one of the highest rates of hospital admissions due to flu compared with other age groups. By getting vaccinated, your child not only protects themselves, but also those around them, including babies, grandparents, and people with weak immune systems.

Parents are urged to ensure their children’s school vaccination consent forms are completed, and that eligible pre-schoolers are booked for appointments at the GP practice to help reduce the spread of flu this autumn and winter.

Children in reception to year 11 will be offered the free nasal spray flu vaccine, delivered in schools by immunisation teams up and down the country. Children aged two and three (on or before 31 August) are eligible for the free nasal spray at their GP practice, and any child aged six months or over who has a health condition that puts them at increased risk from flu should have a vaccine every year. Children who can’t have the nasal spray for medical or faith reasons should request an injected flu vaccine instead.

Rachael Corser, Chief Nursing Officer for Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West NHS, said: "The Diwali season is a wonderful time for families and friends to come together, celebrate and exchange greetings. However, it also coincides with flu and Covid-19 cases rising.

"We strongly encourage members of the Hindu, Jains and Sikhs communities to prioritise their health by getting vaccinated, helping them to stay winter strong.

"Aside from protecting yourself, children need to be vaccinated too against flu. Each winter thousands of children need treatment in hospital for flu or its complications. This can be prevented by a simple vaccine which will keep your child healthy and help stop the spread of flu in the family and wider community who may be more vulnerable."

To book Covid-19 and flu vaccines, you can either download the NHS app, visit NHS.UK or call 119 for free