Flu spreads easily, it can be very serious and even kill. This year it’s never been more important to have your flu vaccination.
Now is not the time to be complacent. For some people flu can be as serious as COVID-19 and those most at risk from flu are also more vulnerable to coronavirus.
You can do your bit to protect yourself, your loved ones and the community by having the flu vaccination this winter.
The flu vaccination is free to people who are at increased risk from the effects of flu. The vaccine is safe and doesn’t give you flu.
You should have a flu vaccine if you:
- Are aged 65 and over
- Are pregnant women
- Have certain medical conditions (aged 6 months to 64 years)
- Are living in a long-stay residential care home or another long-stay care facility
- Receive a carer’s allowance or you’re the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill
- Live with someone who’s at high risk of COVID-19 (on the NHS shielded patient list) or you expect to be with them on most days over winter.
These include people with:
- respiratory conditions, such as asthma (needing steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and bronchitis
- diabetes
- heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
- being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
- chronic kidney disease
- liver disease, such as hepatitis
- neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or cerebral palsy
- a learning disability
- problems with your spleen, for example, sickle cell disease, or if you have had your spleen removed
- a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or taking medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
The flu vaccine is also free on the NHS for:
- children over the age of 6 months with a long-term health condition
- children aged 2-3 years
- all primary aged school children and year 7 pupils
From December 1 people aged 50-64 will be offered a free flu vaccination.
Contact your GP or pharmacy now to book your vaccination.
Watch the video for more information: