Annual flu vaccination
Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the flu virus. Getting an annual flu shot in our flu clinic is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting seriously ill.
Why get vaccinated?
- Reduces risk of flu-related hospitalisations and deaths
- Helps protect high-risk groups like young children, elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic conditions
- May prevent you from spreading flu to vulnerable individuals
Who should get vaccinated?
The annual flu vaccine is offered free on the NHS to:
- Adults aged 50 and over
- Pregnant women
- Those with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart/ kidney/ liver disease
- Residents of long-stay care homes
- Unpaid carers
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Those living with someone immunocompromised
When and where to get vaccinated:
- Best time is early autumn before flu season peaks
- Available from your GP surgery, participating pharmacies, some maternity services
- May also be offered at a hospital appointment
- Book in advance or get it when vaccines are available
About the vaccine:
- Updated annually to match circulating flu strains
- Given by injection into the upper arm muscle
- Takes 10-14 days to take full effect
- Cannot cause flu illness
For specific groups:
The flu jab in pregnancy – NHS
Flu vaccine and people with egg allergies – CDC
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine – NHS
Let your provider know if you’ve had an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine before and avoid vaccination if you currently have a high fever.
Yellow Card | Making medicines and medical devices safer – MHRA