Flu vaccines are safe and effective. They are offered on the NHS every year in the autumn or early winter to help protect people who are at risk of flu and its complications.
A free flu vaccine is offered to those who:
- Are aged 65 and over
- Have certain health conditions (e.g. diabetes)
- Are pregnant
- Are in long-stay residential care
- Receive a carer’s allowance or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- Live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system (e.g. someone with HIV, has had a transplant, or who is having treatment for cancer)
The children’s nasal spray flu vaccine is given to:
- Children aged 2-3yrs on 31.8.24
- All primary school children (reception to year 6)
- Some secondary school children (years 7-11)
- Children aged 2-17 with certain long term health conditions.
Babies and children aged 6 months to 2yrs with certain health conditions will be offered a flu vaccine injection instead of the nasal spray.
The practice will be contacting eligible patients by text to book an appt for their flu vaccine at the practice at the correct time. You can also do this by phone or in person if you wish.
If you are housebound and under the care of the community nurses they will be offering your flu vaccination to you in due course. Those patients who are housebound and who are not under the community nursing team will be contacted with further details.
Please note that this year we can only vaccinate patients eligible for flu vaccines who are pregnant and children during September. All other eligible patients including those in care homes or who are housebound will be able to make an appointment after 3.10.24. This will be the same at local community pharmacies.