Are you eligible for the flu vaccine this autumn?
As summer draws to a close and the weather becomes colder, we tend to spend more time indoors, increasing the likelihood of viral infections such as the flu and common cold. To help protect the most vulnerable in our community, the NHS Winter Immunisation Programme is in place to offer protection.
The flu vaccine helps protect your immunity, as flu can potentially be serious or even a life-threatening illness. Each year, the vaccine is offered for free by the NHS during autumn or early winter to those at higher risk of getting seriously ill from the flu.
This year’s seasonal flu campaign will launch in two stages, and everyone eligible for the free vaccine is advised to book an appointment as soon as possible.
Stage 1
The vaccine is currently available for:
- pregnant women
- children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
- all primary school aged children
- secondary school aged children up to year 11
- children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years.
It is available from GP practices and pharmacies, however school-aged children will receive a nasal spray vaccination at school, or a catch-up clinic and midwives can offer flu vaccines to pregnant women at some antenatal clinics.
Stage 2
Those who don't qualify for stage 1 including older adults can receive the vaccine from October.
Those eligible include:
- people aged over 65
- conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
- heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
- some conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
- diabetes or Addison's disease
- a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine
- problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you've had your spleen removed
- a learning disability
- being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
- main carers for an older or disabled person, or receive a carers allowance
- those who live with someone who has a weakened immune system
The national booking service will open for all those eligible on 23 September.
Once booking opens you can book your vaccine here:
Further information
If you are still unsure if your are eligible for the vaccine or if the vaccine is right for you please contact you GP.
For more information about the Flu vaccine please take a look at the link below.
NHS Information on Flu vaccine
