Flu vaccine: Protect yourself and help reduce pressure on the NHS

Some at-risk groups, such as all those over 65 years and people with long-term health conditions, are eligible for a free flu vaccination on the NHS.

The flu vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of flu.

If you're at higher risk from coronavirus, you're also more at risk of problems from flu and if you get flu and coronavirus at the same time, research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill.

If you've had COVID-19, it's safe to have the flu vaccine. It'll be effective at helping to prevent flu.

The flu vaccine is given to people who:

• are 65 and over (including those who'll be 65 by 31 March 2021)
• have certain health conditions
• are pregnant
• are in a 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's at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)
• frontline health or social care workers

Book an appointment with your GP or pharmacy and encourage your loved ones to book too. You could be helping to reduce pressure on the NHS by protecting yourself this winter. Changes have been made to make sure it's safe for you to have the flu vaccine at GP surgeries and pharmacies. These changes include social distancing, hand washing and wearing protective equipment. It's important to go to your appointments unless you or someone you live with has symptoms of coronavirus.

Find more information on the NHS website.