The Northern Echo will be hosting a live Q&A with senior NHS officials regarding the winter Covid and Flu vaccination programme next week.

We are asking our readers to send in their burning questions surrounding flu and Covid vaccinations via our website.

If you have had questions since the start of the pandemic, or maybe queries that have arisen in recent months or weeks, now is your chance to have them answered by experts.

Questions from who should have the vaccine, whether it is necessary to keep receiving vaccinations each year, and why flu is on the rise, we will be asking the questions that are bothering our readers.

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The NHS bosses (one of whom is yet to be confirmed) will also explain some misinformation circulating the internet surrounding vaccines and what you, the public, really need to know.

Professor Neil Watson, who is leading the Covid-19 vaccination programme for the North East and North Cumbria said: "We expect a resurgence in both Covid and flu this winter and urge eligible people to double their defences and get protected as soon as they can to keep themselves, their families and friends safe. 

"Being healthy does not reduce your risk of getting COVID-19 or flu, or from passing it on, and both viruses can be serious for those who are vulnerable. We know vaccines work and they offer the best protection from becoming seriously ill and requiring hospital treatment. This is especially important at a time when our NHS services are under increased pressure.

"People are encouraged to book an appointment online via the National Booking Service or to ring 119. Appointments are available at some GP Practices and Community Pharmacies." 

The live Q&A will be happening on Wednesday, November 16 at 6pm on The Northern Echo Facebook page.

Questions can be submitted here.

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