Flu
Flu
Vaccination information and latest advice.
Flu vaccinations
Flu is a nasty illness that can spread easily.
You are especially at risk of flu if you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system such as a neurological disorder, liver, lung or renal disease, heart problem or diabetes.
The following groups are to be offered flu vaccination:
From 1 September 2024
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
- primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
- all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years
From 3 October 2024
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups – such as diabetes, heart disease, some neurological conditions, liver disease or a weakened immune system (for instance due to being prescribed steroids or treated for cancer)
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants
Get a flu vaccine
If you're eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can get your vaccine from:
- your GP surgery
- a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination (if you're aged 18 or over)
- some people may be able to get the vaccine through their maternity service or care home
- the NHS will usually let you know in autumn or early winter when you can get your flu vaccine. Speak to your GP surgery if you have not been contacted, but you think you're eligible
Frontline health and social care workers
Some people may be able to get vaccinated through their maternity service, care home or their employer if they are a frontline health or social care worker.
You may receive an invitation to get vaccinated.
All frontline health care workers, including clinical and non-clinical staff who have contact with patients, should be offered flu vaccine from 3 October.
If you are not eligible for a free vaccine
Most pharmacies offer this service for a charge.
Children's vaccines
The flu vaccination is offered as a nasal spray for primary school age children, as young children’s close contact with each other means that they are more likely to spread the virus to groups including the elderly.
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