Stay Protected This Flu Season

Get Your Flu Vaccine, and stay healthy.

Why it matters:

Flu (influenza) isn’t just a “bad cold” — it can lead to serious illness, hospitalisation or even be life-threatening, especially for people with underlying health issues or who are older. The flu vaccine helps to protect you and those around you.

Who is eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine?

You’re eligible if you:

• Are aged 65 or over (or will turn 65 by 31 March 2026).

• Have certain long-term health conditions (e.g., respiratory, heart, kidney, liver disease; weakened immune system; diabetes; very high BMI).

• Are pregnant, live in a care home, are a main carer for an older or disabled person, or live with someone with a weakened immune system.

• Work on the frontline in health or social care (your employer may offer the vaccine).

  
  

How to get it:

Contact your GP surgery to book an appointment.

If you’re 18 or over, you may book online via the NHS app or at a participating pharmacy, or you can walk-in at participating pharmacies is possible (for eligible adults).

What you should know:

Now is the perfect time to get vaccinated, Most people can have the flu vaccine; only if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose or to an ingredient should you avoid it.

Some flu vaccines contain small amounts of egg protein, so please tell your vaccinator if you have an egg allergy.

It takes up to 14 days for the vaccine to take full effect, and your protection reduces over time. The circulating flu virus strains change each year, so the vaccine is updated annually, ensure you get it every year.

Worried About Side-Effects and Safety?

Most side-effects are mild: soreness at the injection site, a slightly raised temperature, or body ache for a day or two. The injected flu vaccines used in the UK do not contain live flu virus, which means you cannot get flu from the vaccine.

If you’re eligible, getting the flu vaccine is one of the simplest and most effective steps you can take to protect your health , and contribute to protecting others, particularly those more vulnerable.

Book it early this year, and encourage colleagues, family members or service users to do the same.