Flu

To find out more about flu vaccination visit the NHS website .

Can I get my flu vaccination?

The flu seasonal vaccine programme will start on 01 September 2024 for some cohorts.

From 01 September 2024 the following groups will be eligible:

•    pregnant women
•    all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
•    primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
•    secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
•    all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years

From 03 October 2024 the following groups will be eligible:

•    those aged 65 years and over
•    those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza Chapter 19)
•    those in long-stay residential care homes
•    carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
•    close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
•    frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants

You will be able to get a flu vaccine from a range of places including:

•    your GP practice
•    community pharmacies offering the NHS flu vaccination (if you're aged 18 or over
•    community pop-up locations across Northamptonshire

Some people may be able to get the vaccine through their maternity service or care home. 

 

Who is more at risk from flu?

Each year the NHS prepares for the unpredictability of flu. For most healthy people, flu is an unpleasant but usually self-limiting disease with recovery generally within a week.

However, there is a particular risk of severe illness from catching flu for:

•    older people
•    the very young
•    pregnant women
•    those with underlying disease, such as chronic respiratory or cardiac disease
•    those who are immunosuppressed

How well does the flu vaccine work?

If you're at increased risk of complications from flu getting a seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others. Research has shown the vaccine helps:

•    reduce your risk of getting seriously ill or dying from flu
•    reduce your risk of catching and spreading flu
•    protect against different strains (variants) of flu

Seasonal vaccines are offered because protection fades over time.

A vaccine helps give you good protection from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if you catch flu.

There is a chance you might still get or spread flu even if you have a vaccine, so it's important to follow advice about how to avoid catching and spreading flu.

 

Why should I get the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine has a good safety record and is an effective way to protect yourself from the flu virus.

While flu can be unpleasant, for some it can be very dangerous and even life threatening, particularly people with certain health conditions, older people and pregnant women. For them, it can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia or can make existing conditions worse. 

Every winter, thousands die from flu. Children aged under 5 have one of the highest hospitalisation rates for flu. Last year over 6,000 under 5s in England were hospitalised by flu, and many more needed care in accident and emergency. The vaccine reduces a child’s chance of needing hospital care for flu by around two-thirds. 

Having your flu vaccination will reduce your risk of serious illness and help you recover more quickly if you catch the virus. Getting the vaccine while pregnant helps to protect you and your baby from complications if you catch the flu virus. The vaccine has kept tens of thousands of people out of hospital and helped to save countless lives and they give you better protection than any immunity gained from previous infections. It also helps protect your family and other people in your community, by helping to stop diseases spreading.

In winter, flu spreads more easily as we spend more time indoors. Getting the vaccine ahead of winter will help keep yourself and others around you safe and ‘get winter strong’. 

 

Could I still get flu after having the vaccine?

Like all medicines, no vaccine is 100% guarantee of not catching the virus – some people may still get flu despite getting vaccinated but this should be less severe with milder symptoms. It may take a few days for your body to build up protection from the vaccines. Having your flu vaccination will reduce your risk of serious illness and may help you recover more quickly if you catch the virus.

 

Does the flu vaccine protect me from COVID-19?

No. As flu and COVID-19 are different viruses, you will need different vaccines to protect yourself against both viruses.

 

Why do I keep needing to have further doses of the flu vaccine?

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 types of flu virus the vaccine protects against are updated each year. This is why it's important to get the flu vaccine every year.

 

How is it decided who is eligible to get the flu vaccine for free on the NHS each year?

The flu vaccine programme aim to reduce the number of people that get seriously ill and reduce the spread of the virus.

The government decide which groups will be eligible for free vaccines on the NHS. Their decision is based on the independent advice of clinical experts in the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who review the latest clinical evidence and data.

Which flu vaccine will I be offered?

The NHS is offering different flu vaccines in line with the advice of scientists on JCVI. All flu vaccines have been tested in line with rigorous standards and found to give good protection against the virus. You can read more about the summary of vaccine for eligible cohorts on the JCVI website

 

Is the vaccine safe?

The flu vaccine has a good safety record, and their side effects are generally mild and do not last for more than a few days. Your safety will always come first and there are rigorous safety standards that have to be met through the approval process. 

As with any medicine, vaccines are highly regulated products. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the official UK regulator are globally recognised for requiring the highest standards of safety, quality and effectiveness for medicines and vaccines. There are checks at every stage in the development and manufacturing process. Each of the vaccines are tested on tens of thousands of people across the world. They are tested on both men and women, on people from different ethnic backgrounds, and of all age groups.

Like any other vaccine or medicine, the flu vaccine is continuously monitored for safety – the effected benefits of the vaccine far outweigh risk in the majority of patients. You and your healthcare professional can report any suspected side effects through the tried and trusted Yellow Card Scheme.

 

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines teach your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases. It's usually much safer for your immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them. 

Once your immune system knows how to fight a disease, it can often protect you.

Are there any side effects from the vaccines?

Millions of adults and children around the world have had a flu vaccine and it gives you the best protection against flu.

Like all medicines, the flu vaccine can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them.

The safety of the vaccines has been extensively reviewed in both adults and children by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The MHRA are continuously monitoring the safety of the flu vaccine and reports of serious side effects are very rare.

Find out more about the MHRA on GOV.UK

Common side effects of flu vaccination
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.

CONTACT 111 IF:

You or your child have had a flu vaccine and:

•    have symptoms that are getting worse
•    you're worried about your or your child's symptoms

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Report a side effect
Report a vaccine side effect on the Yellow Card website

Very rare side effects of flu vaccination
Most people with allergies (including food or penicillin allergies) can be vaccinated against flu.

If you've ever had a serious allergic reaction (including anaphylaxis), tell healthcare staff before you're vaccinated. They may ask what you're allergic to.

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've had a mild allergic reaction before, such as a rash, wheezing or hives, you are likely to get a common flu vaccine. Staff giving the vaccine are trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.

Most of the side effects of vaccination are mild and do not last long.

The most common side effects of vaccination include:

•    the area where the needle goes in looking red, swollen and feeling a bit sore for 2 to 3 days
•    feeling a bit unwell or developing a high temperature for 1 or 2 days
•    older children and adults may feel faint
•    feeling tired, having a headache, mild fever, or flu-like symptoms

Some children might also cry and be upset immediately after the injection. This is normal and they should feel better after a cuddle. Common side effects usually pass after a few days.

Allergic reactions
It's rare for anyone to have a serious allergic reaction to a vaccination. If this does happen, it usually happens within minutes.

The person who vaccinates you or your child will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately. With prompt treatment, you or your child will make a good recovery.

Read vaccination tips for parents, including what to expect after vaccination

CALL 999 OR GO TO A&E IF: 

You or your child have any of these symptoms within a few days of being vaccinated:

•    our lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
•    you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
•    your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
•    your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
•    you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
•    someone faints and cannot be woken up
•    a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised or itchy.

These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

Can I have the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?

You can have the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines such as the COVID-19 and shingles vaccines.

It's not usually given at the same time as the RSV vaccine, but you can have them at the same time if a doctor or nurse thinks it's needed.

Can I have the vaccine if I feel unwell?

If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. You should not attend an appointment if you have a fever or think you might be infectious to others.

Should I get the vaccines if I think I have already had flu?

If you think you’ve already had flu once you’ve recovered you should still get the vaccines as they will still help protect you.

Is there anyone that shouldn’t get the vaccines?

Almost everybody can have the vaccines, but you should not be vaccinated if you have ever had a serious allergy (eg. anaphylaxis) to any of the flu vaccines, or any of their ingredients – you should discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you are allergic to eggs you may not be able to have certain types of flu vaccine – check with your immuniser. If you have a fever, the vaccination may be delayed until you are better.

 

To find out more about flu and the flu vaccination visit the following web pages:

• Flu vaccine (www.nhs.uk)
• The flu vaccination — who should have it and why
• Flu (www.nhs.uk)