Get the jab

Who needs the flu vaccine?

Anyone who suffers from heart or lung problems or is 65 or over should get the flu vaccine.

Conditions and diseases which can make flu much more dangerous include:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Cystic fibrosis
• Chronic heart disease
• Chronic kidney failure
• Cirrhosis/hepatitis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Diabetes
• HIV infection

If you have children who suffer from any of these conditions they should be vaccinated too. Anyone undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment should also get vaccinated.

To help stay healthy and benefit those they look after, unpaid carers are also eligible for the flu vaccine. This includes young people who look after a relative or friend who is infirm, disabled or who has long-term health problems.

Annual flu jab

If you had a flu jab last year, you'll need another one this year. Flu viruses continually change, so last year's vaccine might not necessarily protect you against any new strains.

How it works

The flu vaccine takes around ten days to work and will protect you from flu for around a year.

You must get vaccinated annually because the virus develops different strains each year: last year's vaccine won't protect you from this year's flu. It's also important to realise that the flu vaccine won't give you flu, but it can stop you catching it.

Who shouldn't have the flu vaccine?

The vaccine is only offered to those at high risk from the serious complications of flu, or those whose occupation places them at an increased risk.

You should not be vaccinated if you:

• Are allergic to chicken eggs
• Have had a severe anaphylactic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past (including neomycin, kanamycin and gentamicin - antibiotics which may be present in tiny (trace) amounts).
• Currently have flu symptoms

In addition, children under the age of 6 months should not be vaccinated.

The flu vaccination doesn't give you the flu

A common misconception is that the vaccine itself can give you the flu. This is not true as the vaccine doesn't contain any live virus. Some people might experience mild side effects; a sore arm where they were injected or a slight rise in temperature, but any other reactions are very rare.

How effective is the vaccine?

The currently available influenza vaccines give 70-80% protection against infection with flu virus strains closely matching those in the vaccine. In the elderly, protection against infection may be less, but immunisation has been shown to reduce the incidence of bronchopneumonia, hospital admissions and mortality.

How long does the protection from flu vaccine last?

Protection lasts for about one year. To provide continuing protection, annual immunisation is necessary with vaccine containing the most recent strains.

When should I get the jab?

The best time is between September and early November, before the main flu season. However, although people can be vaccinated until the end of March they shouldn't leave it too late.

Where do I get the jab?

If you think you are eligible for the free flu vaccination contact your GP surgery or local pharmacist for more information.

Alternatively you can contact the NHS Helpline on 0800 22 44 88 for advice.

All of the above are quick, free and could save you weeks of misery.

Case Studies

Hear the real life stories of Stephen Fyfe and Shazia Ahktar, both of whom have at risk medical conditions. Hear their experience of contracting flu and why they always get their annual flu jab.

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