Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 Booster Vaccines

About the influenza (flu) and COVID-19 booster vaccines:

The flu vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. It’s offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

Around 35 million people in England are eligible for a free flu vaccine. For most people, the flu vaccine will be offered via GPs, midwives, and schools.

The best time to have the flu vaccine is in the autumn or early winter before flu starts spreading.

Find out more about the COVID-19 booster vaccine and who can get it.

Stockport residents do not need to call their GP about the flu or COVID-19 booster vaccine. Those who are eligible for a free flu vaccine will be contacted by their GP practice. Eligible patients can also book an appointment at a pharmacy.

 

Where to get the flu vaccine:

  • Your GP surgery, who will contact you if you are eligible.
  • A pharmacy offering the service. Find a pharmacy that offers the NHS flu vaccine.
  • Your midwifery service if you’re pregnant.
  • At an already arranged hospital appointment subject to availability.

If you do not have your flu vaccine at your GP surgery, you do not have to tell the surgery. This will be done for you.

 

Where to get the COVID-19 booster vaccine:

If six months have elapsed since the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, a booster vaccine can be booked on the NHS National Booking Service.

 

The Symptoms of flu

Flu symptoms can appear very quickly and include a high temperature about 38C, an aching body, feeling exhausted, sore throat and runny nose and loss of appetite. Children may also become less active and get ear pain.

 

Why it is important to have the flu vaccine

  • Getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses.
  • More people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • If you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you’re more likely to be seriously ill.

Some people may be eligible for both the flu and the COVID-19 booster vaccines. If you are offered both vaccines, it’s safe to have them at the same time.

 

I have had COVID-19, is it safe to have the flu vaccine?

If you’ve had COVID-19, it’s safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu. If you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you’re more likely to be seriously ill.

 

Who can have the flu vaccine for free on the NHS?

The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to the following people:

  • All children aged two and three (nasal spray). Can they also have the jab now?
  • All primary (reception to year 6) and secondary school pupils up to, and including, year 11.
  • People with certain long-term health conditions such as: Diabetes, respiratory and heart conditions, chronic kidney or liver disease, neurological conditions such as motor neurone disease or Parkinson’s and those aged six months to under 50 years who might be at more risk.
  • Close contacts of people with weakened immune systems.
  • Carers including unpaid carers.
  • Pregnant women.
  • People in residential care.
  • People with a learning disability (a nasal spray can be offered as a reasonable adjustment).
  • Those aged 50 years and over.
  • People who are very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
  • Health and care staff.
  • frontline health or social care workers.

 

Where to find more information:

For more information about the vaccine including for pregnant women and people with long term health conditions and visit the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/.

Find out more about the children’s flu vaccine: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/.