Flu vaccination by injection, commonly known as the “flu jab” is available every year on the NHS to protect adults (and some children) at risk of flu and its complications.
Our flu clinics tend to start early October. Eligible patients will receive a letter inviting them to attend a drop in clinic.
Flu can be unpleasant, but if you are otherwise healthy it will usually clear up on its own within a week.
However, flu can be more severe in certain people and cause complications, such as:
- anyone over the age of 65
- pregnant women
- children and adults with an underlying health condition (particularly long-term heart or respiratory disease)
- children and adults with weakened immune systems
The flu vaccine is only given free on the NHS as an annual injection to:
- adults over the age of 18 at risk of flu (including everyone over 65)
- children aged six months to two years at risk of flu
The flu jab does work and will help prevent you getting the flu. It won’t stop all infections and its not a 100% guarantee that you’ll be flu-free.
People who get the flu despite being immunised tend to experience milder and shorter lived symptoms
Nasal Flu Vaccination:
The flu vaccine is given as an annual nasal spray to:
- children aged two to 17 years at a particular risk of flu
- healthy children aged two, three and four years old
Further Resources from NHS Choices:
Read more about who should have the flu jab.
Read more about the flu nasal spray for children.
Read more about how the flu jab works.
Read more about the side effects of the flu jab.
Read more about this vaccine recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).