Flu Vaccination
Flu season is usually between late September and late March. Our online booking system is open now, ready for you to make your flu vaccination appointment.
Flu Jabs
The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. It’s offered on the NHS every year to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
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, but you can get it later.
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
Why is the vaccination important?
The flu can be serious for many people and can make you feel really poorly. If you’re not sure whether to get the flu vaccination or why you should get the flu jab again this year, perhaps the benefits will help change your mind.
If you’re eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:
- contact your GP surgery to book an appointment
- find a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination (if you’re aged 18 or over)
Some people may be able to get the vaccine through their maternity service or care home.
You may receive an invitation to get vaccinated, but you do not have to wait for this before booking an appointment.
Most people who are eligible for the flu vaccine can have it.
You only cannot have the vaccine if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine.
Some of the flu vaccines used in the UK contain egg protein. Tell the person vaccinating you if you have an egg allergy.
If you have a high temperature, wait until you’re feeling better before having your 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.
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 flu strains the vaccine protects against are updated each year. This is why it’s important to get the flu vaccine every year.