Flu

Last Updated: Thursday, 12 October 2023

For all patients ELIGIBLE for the Flu Vaccination:

The flu vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. It’s offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

The best time to have the flu vaccine is in the autumn or early winter before flu starts spreading.

Eligible cohorts for free flu vaccination in 2022/23

those aged 65 years and over
those aged six months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the influenza chapter in
‘Immunisation against infectious disease’ (the ‘Green Book’)
all children aged two to 10 (but not 11 years or older) on 31 August 2022 (i.e. up to school Year 6)
pregnant women
those in long-stay residential care homes
receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if
you get sick
close contacts of immunocompromised individuals

Flu vaccination is important because:

more people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to iduring the COVID-19 pandemic
if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you’re more likely to be seriously ill
getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses

If you’ve had COVID-19, it’s safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu.