The flu vaccine: what you need to know
The seasonal flu vaccine helps to protect us and others against flu (influenza). Flu is more than a bad cold - it can make you really unwell. For some people it can increase the risk of developing serious illnesses like pneumonia. Here I explore why it’s important to get your flu vaccine every year, and answer some commonly asked questions about the vaccine.
Why is the flu vaccine so important?
Having a flu vaccine is the most effective way to reduce your risk of catching flu. Once you’ve had the vaccine, it starts to work within 14 days.
There are different types of flu, known as ‘strains’. Each year, the flu vaccine is updated to try and match the strains you can catch that winter. Even if the vaccine doesn’t exactly match the type of flu that’s circulating one year, it’s still likely to offer you some protection. So, it’s important to have your flu vaccination each year, even if you’ve had it before.
By getting your flu vaccination you’re also helping to protect other vulnerable people as well as protecting yourself.
Who can have the flu vaccine?
Anyone in the UK can have the flu vaccine. For some people it’s particularly important to have the vaccine. This is because they’re either at a higher risk of catching flu, or more likely to become very unwell if they do catch it. Some people can have a free NHS flu vaccine. This includes people who:
- are pregnant
- have a heart condition
- are aged 65 or older
- have an illness that affects their lungs such as asthma or cystic fibrosis
- have kidney or liver disease
- have a weakened immune system
- have had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) – sometimes called a ‘mini-stroke’
- have diabetes
- have a neurological condition such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis (MS)
- have a BMI of 40 or over
Children are also able to have a free NHS flu vaccine if they are:
- aged between 2 and 16
- over 6 months old and have a serious health condition
You’re also eligible if you’re a carer, work in health or social care, or live with someone who has a weakened immune system.
If you think you might benefit from a free flu vaccine but aren’t mentioned in this section, speak to your GP for more information.
Who shouldn’t have the flu vaccine?
Most people can have the flu vaccine. But you shouldn’t have the flu vaccine if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine in the past.
If you’re allergic to eggs or have a weakened immune system you might not be able to have some types of flu vaccine. There are different vaccines available, so speak to your GP for advice.
If you have a fever, it’s better to wait until you’re feeling better to have the vaccine.
What are the side effects of the flu jab?
Some people worry that they’ll feel unwell after having the flu vaccine, or that the vaccine will give them the flu. The vaccine can’t give you the flu, and flu vaccines go through lots of testing to make sure they’re safe. You might experience some mild side effects after having the vaccine, such as:
- some redness and soreness on your arm if you had the vaccine as an injection
- a mild fever
- aching muscles
If you have the nasal vaccine (sprayed into your nose) you might experience:
- a headache
- a blocked or runny nose
- tiredness
Where can I get the flu vaccine near me?
You can book an appointment to get the flu vaccine at your GP surgery. You might also be able to get it at your local pharmacy. If you’re pregnant, you may be able to have the vaccine through your midwife.
Lots of employers now offer the flu vaccine to their employees. This might be with a nurse at your place of work, or by applying for a voucher which you can use at a pharmacy. You can also choose to pay for the flu vaccine yourself.
When should I get the flu vaccine?
Having the flu vaccine will cover you for one season. So, it’s important to have the vaccine each year at the beginning of autumn. The flu vaccination programme starts in September and continues until the end of March.
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Sources Sources
- Guidance. The flu vaccination: who should have it and why (winter 2024 to 2025). UK Health Security Agency. GOV.UK. Last updated 9 September 2024
- Five simple steps to protect against flu. World Health Organization. Who.int. Published 13 November 2019
- Official Statistics. Surveillance of influenza and other seasonal respiratory viruses in the UK, winter 2022 to 2023. UK Health Security Agency. Gov.uk. Last updated 5 June 2024
- Flu vaccine. NHS. Nhs.uk. Last reviewed 23 November 2023
- Winter vaccinations and winter health. NHS. Nhs.uk. Last reviewed 16 November 2022
- Flu vaccine: myths and the facts behind them. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Gov.uk. Published 21 January 2016
- Vaccine Knowledge. University of Oxford. Vaccineknowledge.ox.ac.uk. Last updated 1 October 2024
- The flu jab in pregnancy. NHS. Nhs.uk. Last reviewed 5 September 2022
- Flu and COVID-19 Seasonal Vaccination Programme: autumn/winter 2024/25. England.nhs.uk. Last updated 21 August 2024
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