Who should have the flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

• are aged 65 or over
• have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant
• live in a care home
• are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• live with someone who has a weakened immune system

Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.

The flu vaccine is recommended for people with certain long-term health conditions, including:

• conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
• heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
• chronic kidney disease
• liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
• some conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
• diabetes or Addison's disease
• a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine
• problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you've had your spleen removed
• a learning disability
• being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above

When you should have the flu vaccine

Most eligible adults will be able to get the flu vaccine from 3 October 2024.

This may be later than you've had the vaccine before, but it means you'll have the best protection when flu is most widespread.

Some people may have their vaccination from September 2024, including if:

• you're pregnant (especially if you're near to your due date) – it's important to get vaccinated before giving birth to help protect yourself and your baby for the first few months of their life
• you're due to have treatment that will weaken your immune system (such as chemotherapy) – the vaccine may be given before treatment starts because it works better if given when your immune system is stronger

Having the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines

You can have the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines such as the COVID-19 vaccine and shingles vaccine.

Getting vaccinated if you're unwell

If you have a high temperature, wait until you're feeling better before having your flu vaccine.

Side effects of the flu vaccine

The most common side effects of the flu vaccine are mild and get better within 1 to 2 days.

They can include:

• pain or soreness where the injection was given
• a slightly raised temperature
• an aching body

More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) are very rare. The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.

The injected flu vaccines used in the UK do not contain live flu viruses. They cannot give you flu.

How well the flu vaccine works and how long it lasts

The flu vaccine aims to protect you against the most common types of flu viruses.

There's still a chance you might get flu after getting vaccinated, but it's likely to be milder and not last as long.

The vaccine usually takes up to 14 days to work.

Protection from the flu vaccine goes down with time and the types of flu virus the vaccine protects against are updated each year. This is why it's important to get the flu vaccine every year.

For further information about the flu vaccination: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/